Accessories

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Footwear and accessories retailer DSW reported net sales for the first quarter ended May 4 of $601 million, an increase of 7.7% from $559 million for last year's first quarter. Comparable sales for the quarter decreased by 2.4%, following an increase of 7.6% during the 13-week period ended April 28, 2012.

NEW YORK — Tiffany & Co. has appointed former Cartier executive Anthony Ledru as the company’s SVP of Northern America.

“As a member of the senior management team, Anthony will drive sales results in our largest region, composed of the United States and Canada, while contributing a key voice to the articulation of the global brand,” said EVP Frederic Cumenal.

IRVINE, Calif. — Tilly’s comparable store sales for March and April improved over February for the first quarter ended May 4, buoyed partly by the spring break and pre-Easter periods.

The company’s total net sales were $109 million, an increase of 13% from $96,524 for the first quarter ended April 28, 2012. Comparable store sales, which include e-commerce sales, increased 1.1% compared to the first quarter of 2012. E-commerce sales were $12.6 million, an increase of 16% compared to the first quarter of 2012.

New York -- Tiffany & Co.’s net income rose a better-than-expected 3% to $83.6 million in its first quarter, up from the prior year’s $81.5 million, boosted by sales improvement across all its regions, particularly Asia. Global same-store sales rose 8% during the quarter.

The earnings bump came on a 9% worldwide net sales increase to $895 million. In the Americas region, total sales rose 6% to $408 million. Same-store sales rose 3% with relatively stronger growth in the New York flagship store.

At nearly 25,000 sq. ft. and with 40-ft. ceilings, the Topshop flagship at the Grove, an open-air center in Los Angeles, is big and bold, with touches of whimsy evident throughout the space.

The store, which marks the British retailer’s West Coast debut, offers personal shopping and concierge services with private suites and dressing rooms encased by expansive glass walls. It carries the retailer's complete range of product lines including some exclusive to the location. It also houses the Topman brand.

Anaheim, Calif. – Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. is opening a new pop-up store in the SoHo neighborhood of New York this summer. The two-floor, 10,000-sq.-ft. shop, located at 583 Broadway, opens today and runs through Labor Day weekend.

New York – Saks Incorporated reported a roughly 5% increase in total sales between first quarter 2012 and first quarter 2013, although net income dropped during that same time period. Total sales for the first quarter of this year were $793.2 million, up from $753.6 million in the first quarter of last year. However, net income of $20 million for first quarter 2013 was down close to 40% from $32.7 million for first quarter 2012. Same store sales increased 5.9%.

Philadelphia – Urban Outfitters, Inc. reported stronger than expected net sales, which drove a 39% increase in net earnings. The specialty retailer reported record total net sales of $648 million during first quarter fiscal 2014, up 14% from $568 million in the same quarter last year. Net earnings for the quarter were $47 million, higher than analyst expectations and up 39% from first quarter fiscal 2013.

Columbus, Ohio – Footwear/accessories retailer DSW Inc. opened a new store in Braintree, Mass., on May 18. The new store is located at 250 Granite Street.

DSW currently operates 377 stores in 42 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Shopping malls continue to be popular with consumers because they offer hands-on shopping experience, according to results of a new survey from Glimcher Retail Monitor. Consumers cite reasons such as ability to try on clothes and accessories (74%), the shopping experience (55%) and store variety (49%) for going to the mall.