Bebe

New York -- Saddled with high levels of debt and sluggish sales, Brookstone Inc. is preparing to file for bankruptcy protection, with a plan already in place to be bought by another specialty retailer, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Brisbane, Calif. – Bebe Stores Inc. is reportedly considering selling the business. According to Reuters, an anonymous source with inside knowledge said Bebe has hired Guggenheim Securities to help evaluate a possible sale.

Brisbane, Calif. – Bebe Stores Inc. had a difficult second quarter of fiscal 2014, reporting a net loss of $5.5 million. Net sales declined 4.1% to $130 million, from $135.5 million reported for the second quarter a year ago. Same-store sales decreased 1.9%.

CEO Steve Birkhold acknowledged challenges, but cited sequential improvement in same-store sales and holiday sales, as well.

Bebe Stores had a difficult second quarter. The company reported a net loss of $5.5 million, which it said was partly fueled by declining mall traffic and an aggressive promotional environment across the industry.

Net sales declined 4.1% to $130 million, from $135.5 million reported for the second quarter a year ago. Same-store sales decreased 1.9%.

CEO Steve Birkhold acknowledged challenges, but cited sequential improvement in same-store sales and holiday sales, as well.

New York -- Lululemon has named Tara Poseley as chief product officer. She most recently served as president of Kmart Apparel, where she was responsible for the launch of several new product collections to attract a younger and multi-cultural customer.

Previously, she held the position of interim president at Bebe Stores, president of Disney Stores North America (The Children’s Place) and CEO of Design Within Reach (DWR).

In her role at Lululemon, Poseley will oversee the company’s global merchandising and design strategy.

Lululemon has appointed Tara Poseley as the company’s chief product officer. In this role, Poseley will oversee the company’s global merchandising and design strategy, working hand in hand with its design team including Deanne Schweitzer, SVP and head of women’s design, and Felix Del Toro, SVP and head of men’s design.

Poseley, who will be reporting to CEO Christine Day, will be responsible for merchandising, inventory, allocation and strategic planning.

Brisbane, Calif. -- Bebe Stores Inc. reported a loss for its fourth quarter amid weaker sales and markdowns.

The apparel chain posted a loss of $20.8 million for the three-month period ended July 6, compared with net income of $3 million in the fourth quarter last year.

Bebe's total revenue edged down to $119.2 million, from $131.5 million.

BRISBANE, Calif. — Global specialty retailer Bebe reported retail sales of $109 million for the fourth fiscal quarter ended July 6, a decrease of 8.5% compared to $119.1 million for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2012. 

Comparable store sales for the quarter decreased 7.1% compared to a decrease of 2.5% in the fourth fiscal quarter of the prior year. The decrease was primarily driven by the negative comparable store traffic during the quarter, with April being the most negative.