Casual

In what has become a familiar industry tale, the Belk department store chain’s investments in omnichannel drove first quarter sales growth but negatively affected profits.

London - Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. has named Marcel Ostwald to the newly created role of senior VP, menswear. Ostwald spent the last 11 years at Hugo Boss, where his most recent title was senior head of creative management and concept design for Boss Sportswear.

Ostwald’s appointment, effective Aug. 1, fills a key role in Michael Kors’ growing menswear business. Ostwald will work closely with Michael Kors and Mark Brashear, president of menswear, in developing the creative brand strategy and product vision for the men’s division.

Chico's FAS Inc. is blaming its first quarter profit decline on restructuring charges and lower sales.

With the athleisure trend still generating big sales, Sports Authority has teamed up with Hanesbrands' Champion Athleticwear to launch Champion GEAR.

The new collection, available exclusively at Sports Authority locations nationwide and sportsauthority.com, is a premium line of performance and lifestyle apparel features seamless construction and quick-drying Champion Vapor Technology for comfortable, distraction-free workouts.

Pittsburgh - American Eagle Outfitters Inc. continues its global expansion with new license agreements in South Korea with SK Networks Co. Ltd.; in Singapore with Trendz 360 Pte. Ltd.; and in Greece with Notos Com Holdings S.A. Stores will begin opening in mid-2015, and American Eagle currently expects to open approximately 40 licensed stores in fiscal 2015

Photo: Dov Charney

Los Angeles – In the latest set of dueling lawsuits to hit a major retailer, American Apparel is suing its founder and ousted CEO Dov Charney for violating a standstill agreement with the company. Standstill agreements typically limit the amount of stock in a company a party can buy during a certain period of time.

Little Rock, Ark. – Dillard’s Inc. had a disappointing first quarter of 2015, missing Wall Street expectations with both earnings and sales. Net income dropped 2% to $109.6 million, from $111.7 million a year earlier.

Net sales climbed to $1.57 billion, from $1.55 billion. Same-store sales and total merchandise sales outside the company’s construction business both fell 1%. Dillard’s plans to open three new stores in fiscal 2015, located in Utah, Louisiana and Ohio.

Dillard’s joined Macy’s, Kohl’s and JCPenney in reporting lackluster results as a result of weak sales in the first quarter.

For the first quarter ended May 2, Dillard’s reported of $109.6 million, or $2.66 a share, compared with $111.7 million, or $2.56 a share, in the prior year quarter. Same-store sales declined 1%.

Secaucus, N.J. – The Children’s Place Inc. and a group of dissatisfied activist Children’s Place investors, called Shareholders for Change at the Children’s Place, have exchanged accusations in a pair of open letters to shareholders. The retailer struck first with a letter supporting the election of its three independent board nominees, including chairman Norman Matthews, at the upcoming May 22 annual meeting.

Express is hoping to attract fans of the hit movie “Pitch Perfect” with a new fashion line targeted to Millennials.

The retailer has partnered with Universal Pictures and Gold Circle Entertainment's “Pitch Perfect 2,” in theaters May 15, to create a dual-gender collection based on the looks seen in the film.