Casual

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. will open its first franchise-operated Old Navy stores in the Philippines in 2014. Earlier this year, the company announced that it would begin franchising Old Navy stores internationally.

Gap will partner with Stores Specialists, which operates Gap brand and Banana Republic stores in-market, to open two Old Navy locations in the beginning of 2014 with plans to open additional stores by the end of the same fiscal year.

New York -- Analysts project that Francesca’s, a junior apparel and accessories retailer, will have the retail industry’s fastest rates of growth during the next three years, Bloomberg reported.

Francesca’s plans to expand to 900 stores, or double its current store count, in the next seven years.  The chain is projected by analysts to grow sales by 80% during the next three years, faster than any other apparel retailer, according to the report.

New York -- Ann Inc. reported that its second quarter net income rose a better-than-expected 16% to $35.6 million, with strong performances from both its Ann Taylor and Loft banners. Similar to many other retailers in recent weeks, the chain trimmed its full-year revenue forecast.

Revenue for the period ended Aug. 3 increased 7% to $638.2 million.
 
Same-store sales rose 2.8%, with a 3.1% rise at Ann Taylor and a 2.5% lift at Loft.

San Francisco -- A resurgent Gap Inc. reported that its second quarter profit jumped 25% on strong sales of denim and other goods at its namesake and Old Navy brands. And bucking a trend set by other retailers, the company raised its full-year earnings guidance. Gap also detailed upcoming expansion plans.

New York -- Aeropostale posted a loss of $33.7 million for the fiscal second quarter that ended Aug. 3, compared to a profit of $71 million a year ago. The teen retailer issued a weak outlook, and upped the number of stores that it plans to close.

Sales decreased 6% to $454.0 million from $485.3 million a year ago. Same-store sales, including the e-commerce channel, fell 15%.

The retailer said it now plans to shut down 30 to 40 Aeropostale locations this fiscal year. Previously, it had stated its plans to close 15 to 20 stores.  

HUDSON, Ohio — Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has appointed Tom Williams to SVP of store operations and human resources, replacing Ken Haverkost.

Haverkost announced his retirement as EVP of store operations, a position he held since joining the company in 2007. He will remain a part-time employee through March 2014 to assist in the transition process.

New York -- A federal judge in Denver gave Hollister Co. until Jan. 1, 2017, to modify its store entrances to make them wheelchair accessible, according to an advocacy group for the disabled, at a rate of 77 stores per year, the Associated Press reported.  

The entrances of some Hollister locations are designed to resemble a front porch, complete with steps. 

DAVENPORT, Iowa — Von Maur has partnered with Brooks Brothers to sell the brand in its stores, making the retailer the second department store in the nation to carry the exclusive line.

The Brooks Brothers line will be available in six stores in fall 2013, and will expand to 13 in spring 2014.