American Eagle

Palo Alto, Calif. -- The shopping app Shopkick on Wednesday announced that Nielsen ranked Shopkick No. 34 out of approximately 1 million apps in December 2012. While still trailing giants like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter overall, Shopkick dominated the shopping category during the holiday season, with more frequent and prolonged usage than all physical retailers' own apps including Starbucks, Walmart, Walgreens, Kroger and Safeway, the app developer noted.

Seattle -- The weekend before Christmas ranked as the busiest shopping period in December by in-store visits to top retailers, with Super Saturday ranking among the three busiest shopping days for Walmart, Target, Toys ‘R’ Us, Macy’s and Kohl’s, according to Placed.

Women’s specialty retailer Coldwater Creek said co-founder, chairman and CEO Dennis Pence will relinquish his role of CEO at year end.

Replacing Pence and joining the board of directors of the Sandpoint, Idaho-based chain will be Jill Brown Dean, the company’s current president and chief merchandising officer. Assuming Dean’s role will be Michele Donnan Martin who joins the company as SVP/GMM responsible for all merchandising functions.

By Michael Dart, Todd Hooper and Jay Agarwal

Although it isn’t as sexy as luxury or as dramatic as discount, the space somewhere in between is heating up.

In fact, recent deal activity suggests that retailers that cater to both low- and high-income segments — those serving “the middle” — have tremendous potential.

Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters said Thursday it has struck a deal with Suyen Corp. that will see the AEO banner open throughout the Philippines.
 
American Eagle signed a multiyear retail license agreement with Suyen, which operates more than 700 stores under various banners in the Philippines, along with 126 franchised stores in the country. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The first stores in the country, which will consist of standalone and in-store shops, are slated to open spring 2013.
 

Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters Inc. said that its net income fell 4% in the second quarter as the retailer dealt with charges related to the closing of its children’s division, 77kids, which included 22 stores and the online business. But its adjusted results met analysts' estimates, and the company raised its full-year outlook.

For the second quarter that ended July 28, American Eagle earned $19.03 million, compared with $19.7 million last year.

New York -- American Eagle Outfitters earned a better-than-expected $39.7 million for the quarter ended April 28, compared with $28.3 million in the same period last year.

The company had said earlier first-quarter sales rose 18% to $719 million. Same-store sales were up 17%.