Seasonal

NEW YORK — Loehmann's, which operates 40 off-price apparel stores in 11 states, announced that it is kicking of New York Fashion Week with its first-ever runway fashion show at its New York flagship store in Chelsea on Sept. 8. The event, in celebration of Fashion's Night Out, will feature more than 25 creative looks complete with silhouettes and styles from Loehmann's famous "Back Room" collection of high-end designer collections, the company reported. 

Hampstead, Md. -- JoS. A. Bank Clothiers reported Wednesday that net income for the second quarter surged 24.7% to $20.6 million, compared with $16.5 million in the year-ago period.

Sales rose 22.4% to $230.7 million from $188.4 million. Same-store sales increased 14.7%.

Cincinnati -- Kroger Co. will hold a moment of silence of September 11, 2011, in its 2,449 stores nationwide. Stores located in the Eastern Time zone will pause for a moment of silence to remember the victims and honor the heroes of the 9/11 tragedy at 8:46 a.m., the time when American Airlines Flight 11 struck the World Trade Center's north tower ten years ago.

Because of the time difference, Kroger's stores in Central, Mountain and Western Time zones will pause for a moment at a locally-designated time on Sunday morning.

New York City -- While it may take some to fully assess the damage, the impact of Hurricane Irene on retail sales is likely to split among retail sectors: Home-improvement stores selling emergency preparation products and clean-up items are likely to benefit the most from the storm, while apparel retailers and department stores selling non-essential items are likely to take a hit.

Home Depot and Lowe’s may receive a 1% bump to their third-quarter results as a result of Hurricane Irene sales, according to an analysis provided by MarketWatch. 

A variety of retail analysts weighed in on the question of whether Irene would help or hurt retail sales, given that many stores were forced to close when evacuation orders came. But the overall consensus was that before-and-after hurricane sales will benefit home improvement retailers, while negatively impacting department stores, specialty stores and any retailer relying on back-to-school sales.

As Hurricane Irene raged up the East Coast over the weekend of Aug. 26-28, Apple -- like many retailers strategically positioned in the storm’s path -- turned out the lights on its New York-area stores, including all three Manhattan locations, New Jersey and Connecticut, to shield itself from Irene’s wrath.

But on the same day it temporarily shuttered its East Coast stores, Apple officially opened locations in North Carolina, Arkansas and, yes, France.

New York City -- Many New Yorkers remain at home on Monday, as Irene -- though not the monster it first appeared to be -- left widespread flooding and power outages in its weekend wake.

New York City -- Shoppers are crowding hardware stores, supermarkets and big-box retailers up and down the Northeast to pick up generators, bottled water, batteries and flashlights in preparation for Hurricane Irene. Experts say that demand for hurricane-related supplies is giving some retailers a boost that is likely to continue as people clean up in the storm’s wake.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Despite a comps dip during its second quarter, Big Lots performance was enough for the company to raise its fiscal 2011 guidance.

Big Lots reported net income of $35.7 million, or 50 cents per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 ended July 30.  This compares with net income of $38.9 million, or 48 cents per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2010. 

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General and NASCAR have announced the first-ever national retail program around the Chase for NASCAR Sprint Cup. As part of the partnership, Dollar General will launch the "Race to Win" sweepstakes on Aug. 28. The sweepstakes, which runs through Nov. 12, offers customers the chance to win more than 9,000 prizes including free gas for a year, a trip to Las Vegas and $250,000.

The sweepstakes will be promoted by NASCAR superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr. in stores, online and on national radio.