Casual

Anaheim, Calif. -- Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. reported fiscal second-quarter earnings of $7.5 million, in line with Wall Street estimates, compared to net loss of $19.2 million in the year ago period, helped by improved sales in its men’s division. But the teen apparel retailer forecast a wider-than-expected loss for the current quarter.


The company posted revenue of $211.7 million in the period, better than expected, up from million from $210.1 million last year.

Improved sales in Pacific Sunwear’s men’s division helped bolster the company’s earnings for the second quarter ended Aug. 2.

The company reported earnings of $7.5 million for the quarter, compared to a net loss of $19.2 million in the year-ago period. Comparable store sales inched up 0.3%.

Revenue for the quarter was a better-than-expected $211.7 million, up from $210.1 million last year.

Online sales at regional department store operator Belk grew 43% during the second quarter, prompting the company to announce a major investment in its e-commerce and fulfillment capabilities.

Destination XL president and CEO David Levin credited increased traffic and higher conversion rates for helping drive sales in the second quarter.

Although charges related to the decision by Destination XL to exit the Sears Canada Direct business resulted in the retailer’s net loss growing to $4 million in the quarter, from $1.6 million a year earlier, total sales fared better, increasing 6% to $103.7 million, compared with $98 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2013. Same-store sales rose 7%.

An increased risk of an emerging El Nino and a continuation of warmer than normal ocean waters in the Atlantic will produce warmer and wetter conditions along the East Coast along with an elevated tropical system risk. The total number of tropical systems will be reduced overall, but should a storm threaten the U.S., the East Coast would be at highest risk. Much cooler weather will be common across the Plains with increased rainfall east of the Rockies.

New York -- Fashion powerhouse Zara, owned by Spain’s Inditex, used social media to apologize after complaints poured in via Twitter that the retailer was selling a piece of clothing that closely resembled a uniform worn in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. The item in question, called the “Sheriff,” was a children’s blue-and-white striped top with a prominent six-pointed yellow star.

When Blanklabel.com launched in 2009, it set out to redefine notions of custom-tailored menswear, long the purview of the luxury market, by offering bespoke garments at affordable department store prices.

The startup took things a step further by updating the custom concept with a very 21st century, crowdsourcing twist: It offered shoppers a hand in the design of the merchandise by allowing them to pick their own details — from the cut of a shirt to the lining of a collar.

Blank Label is now bringing the disciplines it h

Necessity is the predominant motivation behind shoe purchasing for men, and their brand loyalty is strong and steady, according to Men’s Footwear Brand Focus Study 2014, the latest report from global information provider, The NPD Group.

This attitude, however, shows signs of evolving, given that men are increasingly embracing fashion and newness in their footwear.

Seattle -- Nordstrom announced today the closing of its acquisition of Trunk Club, a leading personalized clothing service for men.
 
The company previously announced its proposed acquisition of Trunk Club by press release on July 31.