Casual

Columbus, Ohio -- Abercrombie and Fitch reported Wednesday net income of $71.5 million for the third quarter, compared with $50.9 million in the year-ago period and beating Wall Street expectations. The retailer is forecasting annual earnings above analysts’ estimates.

Revenue rose 9% to $1.17 billion, boosted by a 37% rise in international sales. Same-store sales dipped 3%.

New York -- Ralph Lauren Corp. is shuttering its Rugby division, Crain’s New York reported.

The preppy-inspired Rugby brand, targeted at a young audience, was launched in 2004. It has 14 locations.

“We continue to believe that we can service the millennium Rugby customer with brands such as Denim & Supply and Club Monaco,” said Roger Farah, president and COO, on the company’s recent earnings call.

Brisbane, Calif. -- Bebe stores reported Friday a net loss of $2.6 million for the quarter ended Sept. 29, compared with net income of $2.4 million for the year-ago period.

Sales slipped 7.3% to $117.1 million from $126.3 million, and same-store sales dropped 8.7%.

During the quarter, the company opened five 2b stores and closed seven Bebe stores, and said it expects to open five Bebe stores and one 2b store in fiscal 2013 as well as close five Bebe stores and one 2b pop-up store.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Body Central Corp. reported Friday that net income for the third quarter was $153,000, compared with $2.8 million in the year-ago period.

Sales inched up 1.2% to $67.9 million, boosted by 7 new stores that opened during the period.

Philadelphia -- Destination Maternity Corp. announced that it has entered into a new $61 million revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

The new credit facility replaces the retailer's $55 million revolving credit facility with Bank of America, N.A., which was due to mature on January 13, 2013.

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks Corp. said Monday it has named LuAnn Via president and CEO, effective Nov. 26.

Via, also named to the retailer’s board of directors, succeeds Joel Waller, who will remain in a consultative capacity through June 30, 2013.

Since July 2008, Via has served as president and CEO of Payless ShoeSource, a subsidiary of Collective Brands, which recently was acquired.

Chicago -- Englewood Construction has announced that its Retail Group has began an extensive, 31,621-sq.-ft. interior build out for Ross Dress for Less at the Ford City Mall, a 47-year-old mall in Chicago’s West Lawn neighborhood.

The work will consist of a reconfiguration of the mall’s floor plans, structure and roof. Englewood will be combining three current spaces into one large floor plate for Ross Dress for Less. Chicago-based Chadha & Associates will serve as the architect on the project.
 

New York -- Prudential Douglas Elliman’s Retail Group said that jewelry designer Alexis Bittar will open a new store at 410 Columbus Avenue, between 79th and 80th Streets, in New York City. It is the designer’s fourth Manhattan store; the other three are on Madison Avenue, in Soho and in the West Village.

With nine stores nationwide, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Venice in California, Chicago, Manhattan and a brand new one in Greenwich, Conn., the brand is in expansion mode and currently planning possible Florida locations.

H&M is hoping to take some of the stigma out of matching family attire with a new line that promises to offer coordinated pieces without compromising individual style.

The retailer's "Fashion Family" collection will launch on Oct. 22 with chic items as textured jackets, skinny trousers and metallic minis for mom, party dresses and textured jackets for girls, suits, leather jackets and sweaters for dad, and long-sleeve tees, fedoras and sunglasses for boys.

NEW YORK — Macy's is hoping to entice the coveted 13- to 30-year-old market with the launch of its millenial initiative.