Winter Holidays

If you’re peeking at the news between slats in your fingers, scared to see where the S&P 500 sits or what’s happening with the NASDAQ, the Dow and the price of oil, you’re quite obviously not alone. Each day is a frightening new one, and no one – not even economists – are quite sure what’s going to happen next.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Ross Stores continues to deliver impressive earnings results, reporting net income of $148.3 million, or $1.28 per share for the second quarter ended July 30, compared with net income of $129.3 million, or $1.07 per share, for the same period last year. 

The company reported that sales for the quarter increased 9% to $2.089 billion, with comparable-store sales up 5% on top of a 4% gain in 2010.

NEW YORK — Macy’s announced Giambattista Valli as the fourth designer in its collaboration series to create a capsule collection for the retailer’s fashion “Impulse” department later this fall. Known for extravagant designs and great party dresses, the collection will be Valli’s first foray into affordable fashion, the company reported.

New York City -- Barneys New York said Monday it is teaming up with pop singer Lady Gaga on a holiday campaign and Christmas window display to be called Gaga’s Workshop.

The luxury department store retailer said that, in addition to the Gaga-themed window display, it will devote an entire floor of its Madison Avenue flagship to Gaga’s Workshop. The campaign will also feature limited-edition gift items and specially themed holiday shopping bags and packaging.

NEW YORK — Barneys New York, announced that it has partnered with Lady Gaga for its 2011 holiday campaign.

According to a company press release, Barneys will convert an entire floor of its Madison Avenue flagship in New York City into a dedicated space for the holiday initiative.  Starting in mid-November, "Gaga's Workshop" will be brought to life throughout the fifth floor of the Men's Store at the Madison Avenue flagship, and will also be supported in the store's iconic Madison Avenue windows, the company reported.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. reported Friday that net income for the quarter ended July 30 was flat at $14 million, citing aggressive markdowns for a lackluster performance that fell below Wall Street expectations.

Revenue dipped to $3.91 billion from $3.94 billion in the year-ago period. Same-store sales increased 1.5%.

According to J.C. Penney, its focus on the middle-to-lower-income shoppers creates a challenge, as those consumers face economic uncertainty heading into the back-to-school and holiday shopping seasons.

Dallas -- PeopleAnswers and Crabtree & Evelyn announced on Thursday a software licensing agreement for the retailer to use the PeopleAnswers HR solution for pre-employment screening and selection for hourly employees and store managers in its 72 stores across the United States in preparation for the holiday season.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Tuesday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates showed that import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports dropped below last year, but are expected to see year-over-year gains again this fall.

According to the monthly Global Port Tracker report, volumes will stay below last year through the summer, but will edge up as retailers begin to stock up for the holiday season.