Burlington Stores, Inc.

Burlington, N.J. — Burlington Stores Inc. had an all-around strong first quarter of fiscal 2014 that included a better-than-expected net income of %11.77 million, up from a net loss of $5.56 million in year-ago period. The retailer expects to open 25 net new stores during the fiscal year, including the opening of one new store and closing of one existing store in the second quarter.

Burlington Stores president and CEO Tom Kingsbury has the operator of 523 stores headed in the right direction with an off-price model that is delivering results and poised for expansion.

Freeport, Maine -- L.L. Bean announced it will open its first store in the state of Vermont, at Burlington Town Center.

The two-level, 18,290-sq.-ft. store is scheduled to open in October. It will feature an assortment of active and casual apparel and footwear, outdoor gear including hiking, fly-fishing, kayaking and camping products. It will L.L. Bean's 20th retail store outside of Maine.

Burlington, N.J. -- Burlington Stores announced that Thomas A. Kingsbury, the company’s CEO and president, has been unanimously elected as chairman of the board.

“We are excited to elect Tom to chair the board of directors of Burlington Stores,” the board said in a statement. “He has done an outstanding job as CEO since he joined the company in 2008. The growth of the business has been impressive under Tom’s leadership and we look forward to this continuing under Tom’s expanded role as chairman and CEO.”

Burlington Stores president and CEO Thomas A. Kingsbury has been elected as chairman of the board of directors.

Severe winter weather has adversely affected many retailers in the fourth quarter, but not Burlington Stores, which saw comparable store sales increase 4% and net sales increase 1.3% to $1.3 billion for the period ended Feb. 1.

Burlington, N.J. – Burlington Coat Factory saw a 36% decline in its fourth quarter net income, which fell to $16.1 million from $25.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. The retailer plans to open 25 net new stores during fiscal 2014, including 22 in the fall, two in May and one in April.

Gates, N.Y. - Wegmans Food Markets begins recruitment for full-time positions March 4 for its latest Massachusetts location, Burlington, which is scheduled to open in fall 2014. The company's third location in the state is a 135,000 sq.-ft. supermarket that includes a Market Cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. Going forward, Wegmans also plans to open more stores in Massachusetts, including a location in Westwood, in 2015.

Hingham, Mass. -- Building #19, the New England closeout retailer which shut its doors after declaring Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2013, has returned as The Rug Dept. The company opened its first Rug Dept. store in the town of Norwood, Mass. on Jan. 26.

Private equity firm Bain Capital concluded 2013 with the acquisition of Bob’s Discount Furniture, an operator of 47 stores in the Northeast that is intent on expansion.

Bain acquired a majority ownership position in the Manchester, Conn.-based company and said senior management will continue to own a significant stake. Current CEO Ted English will continue to lead the company whose first order of business for 2014 is entry into the Philadelphia market.