Footwear

Columbus, Ohio – DSW Inc. beat Wall Street expectations with first quarter profits that were aided by a reduction in clearance-priced merchandise. Net income in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 rose 22% to $47.37 million, from $38.64 million a year earlier.

Net sales grew 9% to $655.49 from $598.95 million. Same-store sales improved 5.1%.

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.

Footwear and accessories retailer DSW Inc., successfully navigated the west coast port challenges that plagued other retailers first quarter performance to deliver strong results while furthering an endless aisle agenda.

The company said its sales for the period ended May 2, increased 9.4% to $655 million and same store sales accelerated to 5.1% when compared to a 3.7% increase during the first quarter the prior year. Net income increased 22.6% to $47.4 million while earnings per share increased 26.2% to 53 cents.

On the heels of an expectation exceeding first quarter performance, Brown Shoe Company’s new “Caleres” corporate identity takes effect following the company’s shareholders meeting on May 28, which begs the question, what’s a Caleres?

New York  - Foot Locker Inc. reported a better-than-expected 14% increase in profit in its first quarter amid continuing sales growth.

Hibbett Sports says harsh winter weather, tax refund delays and the West Coast port dispute all contributed to the company posting an unanticipated decline in same store sales for the first quarter.

Jeff Rosenthal, president and CEO, said: “We experienced early headwinds in the quarter, with February posting a negative high-single-digit comp due to impacts from weather-related closures, port delays and a shift in the timing of tax refunds.”

Foot Locker has "hit the ground running in 2015," according to CEO Richard Johnson, adding that the company posted a better-than-expected 14% increase in profit in its first quarter as the sportswear retailer continues to benefit from sales growth.

Evansville, Ind. – Shoe Carnival Inc. saw net income and sales increase during the first quarter of fiscal 2015 as selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses and cost of sales rose at a slower pace than revenues.

Net income totaled $10.4 million, up 8% from $9.2 million the same period a year earlier.

Net sales increased 7% to $252.77 million, from $235.77 million. Same-store sales climbed 3%.

Improved merchandising and e-commerce initiatives helped Shoe Carnival post first quarter gains in profits, earnings and sales.

The company reported that net sales increased $17 million to a first quarter record of $252.8 million, as compared to net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2014. Same store sales increased 3%. Earnings per diluted share for the first quarter increased 15.6% to 52 cents.

New York -- Swedish fast-fashion giant Hennes & Maurtiz AB (H&M) on Wednesday unwrapped its largest store in the world, in New York City’s Herald Square. The 63,000-sq.- store, which is located across from Macy’s, has a custom illuminated store front that wraps around 33rd Street, 34th Street and 6th Avenue. It is the retailer’s 13th store in New York City.