Strategy

New York – Ann Inc. beat Wall Street expectations with strong profit growth in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, but revenue growth fell short of the Street’s outlook. 
  The company, which  is being acquire by Ascena Retail Group for $2.2 billion, reported that its net income more than doubled to $13.6 million from $5.2 million the same quarter a year earlier, driven by lower restructuring charges and selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses that more than offset a softer gross margin.

Greensboro, N.C. – It was a mixed first quarter for The Fresh Market Inc. as the grocery retailer met Wall Street expectations for profit but fell short on sales. Net income totaled $15.17 million, down 8% from $16.57 million.

Higher operating expenses drove the reduction in net income. Sales increased 7% to $462.04 million from $431 million. Same-store sales dropped 0.1%.

Hibbett Sports says harsh winter weather, tax refund delays and the West Coast port dispute all contributed to the company posting an unanticipated decline in same store sales for the first quarter.

Jeff Rosenthal, president and CEO, said: “We experienced early headwinds in the quarter, with February posting a negative high-single-digit comp due to impacts from weather-related closures, port delays and a shift in the timing of tax refunds.”

New York — Aeropostale Inc. managed to shrink its net loss in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, even as sales declined. The mall-based specialty retailer reported a net loss of $45.27 million, down from $76.78 million, amid  reductions in selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) and restructuring charges helped cut net loss.
   Net sales dropped 19% to $318.6 million from $395.9 million. Same-store sales, including e-commerce, fell 11%.
 

Just days after announcing that it would be opening several "pick-up points" across Canada, Ikea says it plans to open a massive distribution center in Ontario in October.

Omaha, Neb. – Gordman’s Stores Inc. swung to net income of $400,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 from net loss of $700,000 in the same period the prior year. Improved control of store, corporate and insurance expenses, as well the paydown of a loan, helped push Gordman’s into the black.
 

Chico's CEO David Dyer, who laid "the foundation for global expansion," will retire next spring, the company announced.

Chicago – Real estate investment trusts (REITs), which represent a sizable share of retail real estate activity, are worried about possible increases in interest rates. According to a report by consulting firm BDO USA LLP, 97% of REITs mention risks related to increases in interest rates and hedging.    This is up from 90% in 2014 and 88% in 2013, according to the 2015 BDO RiskFactor Report for REITs, which analyzes the most recent SEC 10-K filings for the 100 largest publicly traded REITs in the U.S.