Winter Holidays

Suffern, N.Y. -- Ascena Retail Group, the operator of Lane Bryant, Justice and Dress Barn stores, reported second-quarter profit of $31.9 million, down from $47.2 million in the year-ago period. Looking ahead, the company reduced its full-year adjusted earnings guidance to a range of $1.00 to $1.05 per share from its previous guidance range of $1.10 to $1.15 per share.

Sales increased to $1.27 billion from $1.24 billion last year. Same-store sales were flat.

Ascena Retail Group, the operator Lane Bryant, Justice and Dress Barn stores, cited increased spending on growth initiatives and a challenging sales climate for a second quarter profit decline and its second full year earnings guidance reduction in two months.

Forth Worth, Texas -- Pier I reduced its fourth quarter and fiscal 2014 profit forecasts, blaming the negative impact of severe winter weather. The home furnishings chain is the latest in a series of retailers to credit the extremely cold weather as the main reason for its reduced outlook.

Adverse weather in many of Pier 1 Imports’ major markets has continued to plague the home furnishings retailer, prompting president and CEO Alex W. Smith to update fourth-quarter and full-year expectations.

The severe winter has resulted in considerably softer store traffic and has even forced the retailer to close some stores temporarily, further pressuring fourth quarter sales and merchandise margin.

Kohl’s reported a profit of $334 million, or $1.56 per share, for the fourth quarter ended Feb. 1, down from $378 million, or $1.66 a share, a year earlier. The retailer attributed the dip to an increase in e-commerce shipping costs and holiday season markdowns.

But the retailer expressed confidence in its inventory levels and assortment, adding that it is well-positioned for spring and anticipates sales increases.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. – Kohl’s Corp.’s reported disappointing fourth-quarter results amid markdowns during the holiday period and increased shipping costs for its e-commerce business.

The chain posted a profit of $334 million for the quarter ended Feb. 1, down from $378 million a year earlier. Total sales dropped 3.8% to about $6.1 billion from $6.34 billion. Same-store sales were down 2%. Kohl’s cited the impact of the 53rd week in fiscal 2012 as a driver of its declines.

WTI expects March 2014 to trend similar in temperature to last year and below normal for the U.S. as a whole. The month starts out with cold, possibly record-breaking, in the North along with some potentially snowy and/or icy weather as a storm system moves through. Colder trends linger into the second week of the month, but toward St.Patrick’s day, temperatures look to take a turn toward trending warmer than last year.

Fort Myers, Fla. – Chico’s FAS’ profit was down sharply in the fourth quarter.

The retailer reported adjusted net income of $5.9 million for the quarter, ended Feb. 1, down from $32.7 million a year ago. The adjusted results exclude the impact of tax charges related to its purchase of Boston Proper, and other acquisition costs.