Accessories

Kearney, Neb. -- Teen apparel retailer The Buckle reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended July 31 climbed 13.5% to $23.6 million. Revenue rose 12.6% to $212.4 million, and same-store sales increased 8.5%.

The company also reported that its CFO Karen Rhoads will remain in her position, after having said earlier this year that she would be stepping down.
 

City of Industry, Calif. -- Hot Topic reported Wednesday that it tightened its loss in the second quarter to $6.2 million, compared with a loss of $6.3 million a year earlier.

Revenue edged up to $150.9 million from $150 million. Same-store sales rose 2.6% for quarter.

Hot Topic said it will open 25 to 45 Torrid stores in fiscal 2012. It also plans to close 10 to 20 Hot Topic stores and about five Torrid stores next year, and remodel or relocate 40 to 50 Hot Topic stores and 10 to 20 Torrid stores.
 

Dedham, Mass. -- Chestnut Hill, Mass.-based WS Development said that J. Crew has opened at Legacy Place, located in Dedham, Mass.

The 6,000-sq.-ft. J.Crew is located near Sephora, Apple, and Williams-Sonoma and adjacent to Brooks Brothers, Johnston & Murphy and Orvis.

Opened in 2009, Legacy Place is anchored by Whole Foods Market, L.L. Bean, Showcase Cinema de Lux, and Kings.
 

New York City -- Nordstrom announced Monday that its new Treasure&Bond concept will open in SoHo on Friday, according to a report by the New York Times. The boutique-style store, which represents a new market entry for Nordstrom, will be a fraction of the size of a typical Nordstrom department store and all profits will be donated to charity. Merchandise is funkier, but is not discount like its Nordstrom Rack sister. 

SEATTLE — In another sign that the U.S. economy is affecting lower-income families more than those in higher earning brackets, luxury retailer Nordstrom reported a same-store sales increase of 7.3% for its second quarter and net sales of $2.72 billion, an increase of 12.4% compared with net sales of $2.42 billion for the same period last year.

Strength in the apparel category continued at Target during July, with same-store sales increasing just below the company average of 4.1%, positioning the company as a winner in a month where performance among competitors was uneven.

Highland Village, Texas -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased retail space to two new tenants at The Shops at Highland Village, located in Highland Village, Texas.

Soma Intimates will open a 2,793-sq.-ft. store in August, and local women’s and children’s retailer Megan’s Lifestyle Boutique has leased 2,000 sq. ft. for an October opening.

Milan -- Luxottica Group announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Erroca, which operates more than 60 sunglass stores in Israel. Over time, the stores will be rebranded under the Sunglass Hut brand.

The deal marks Luxottica's entry into the Israeli sunglass specialty store market, although the company already has a solid presence in the country through its wholesale division.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group announced Tuesday that its Premium Outlets division will expand four of its most productive Premium Outlet properties located in California, Florida, Illinois and Washington. 

Construction on these expansions is scheduled to begin in 2012, and total 450,000 sq. ft. of added space.

New York City -- Coach reported Tuesday that net income for the fourth quarter rose 4% to $202.5 million, compared with $195.5 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue surged 9% to $1.03 billion, edging Wall Street estimates. Same-store sales rose 10.1% in North America.

Coach’s performance is in line with overall strength in the luxury category. During the recessionary onslaught, the company pushed sales of handbags priced under $300, but said its average retail price of handbags is now inching back up.