Winter Holidays

New York -- Ann Inc., parent of Ann Taylor and Loft, said Friday that its fourth-quarter profit rose to a better-than-expected $2.37 million from $2.18 million a year earlier.

Sales rose 7.2% to $607.7 million. Total company store- sales for the quarter decreased 0.7%. By brand, same-store sales increased 1.4% across the Ann Taylor brand and fell 2.1% across the Loft brand.

Total U.S. Shopper Traffic in Retail Stores and Malls for February 2013

An unexpected decrease in shopper traffic around Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day led to an overall slower retail performance for the month of February.

Retail foot traffic for February decreased 5.4% compared with January 2013, departing from the positive year-over-year retail traffic trends seen in recent months. Foot traffic for February 2013 decreased 6.4% compared with the same month last year. 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Stein Mart reported that its total sales for the month of February were $85.2 million, an increase of 5.6% over total sales of $80.7 million for the four-week period ended Feb. 25, 2012. Comparable-store sales for the month increased 0.6%.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores on Thursday launched a new section on its website dedicated to products from small, women-owned businesses around the world.  

More than 200 items from 19 businesses in nine countries are featured in the new "Empowering Women Together" section of Walmart.com. The launch comes a day before International Women's Day.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. and PLEASANTON, Calif. — The TJX Companies and Ross Stores reported comparable-store results that were less than impressive from what the two discount retailers usually deliver.

TJX reported that sales for the four-week period ended March 2, were $1.8 billion, up 7% over the $1.6 billion achieved during the four-week period ended Feb. 25, 2012. Consolidated comparable-store sales for the month were up 1%.

Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters Inc. reported Wednesday that profit for the quarter ended Feb. 2 soared to $94.8 million from $51.3 million in the year-ago period, aided by few markdowns.

However, the retailer warned that sales will be weak in the first quarter due to economic restrictions and unfavorable weather.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl's Corp. reported a lower fourth quarter profit on Thursday, hurt by markdowns during the holiday season. The loss was lower than Wall Street had expected. The retailer also forecast full-year earnings that fell short of analysts’ forecasts.
 
Kohl's said its net income fell to $378 million for the quarter ended Feb.2, from $455 million a year earlier. (The retail calendar for fiscal January 2013 included a fifth week, resulting in a 14-week fiscal fourth quarter and a 53-week year.)

By Sandy Skrovan, U.S. research director, Planet Retail