Footwear

Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters is expanding its global retail presence with a series of licensed stores throughout Chile and Peru, building on existing growth markets throughout the region, including Colombia, Panama and the Caribbean, as well as company owned stores in Mexico.

The company has signed a multi-year license agreement with Eurofashion Limitada, a leading Chilean company and division of the Cencosud S.A. Group specialized in developing national and international fashion brands.

Marketing and a strong assortment helped teen retailer Tilly’s report an increase in profits and same store sales in the fourth quarter.

Revenues increased 9.2% from last year to $152.82 million. Analysts expected revenues of $151.43 million. The company said same store sales, which include e-commerce sales, increased 2.9% from the corresponding period in 2013.

Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Meijer will up its fashion game with the spring launch of a Skechers concept shop inside the Knapp's Corner Meijer, Michigan, about one year after the retailer unveiled a fresh approach to lure grocery customers across the center aisle to its apparel offerings.

"Our customers have realized just how serious we are about providing on-trend fashion items at the right price," said Peter Whitsett, executive VP of merchandising and marketing for the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based supercenter.

Columbus, Ohio -- On the heels of its announcement that it would open 35 stores in 2015, footwear retailer DSW said Wednesday that 19 of those store openings would occur this spring.

The locations will be nationwide, including 12 new markets.

"We are pleased to grow our footprint in cities DSW already calls home, while also expanding to new areas of the country. Opening 19 stores this season and more throughout 2015 is absolutely thrilling for our brand,” said Carrie McDermott, executive VP and COO of DSW.

Philadelphia -- Shopping center owner PREIT said that it will add several key – and some first-to-market – tenants to several of its upscale malls.  

At Cherry Hill (New Jersey) Mall, new tenants include lululemon athletica, Tumi, and e.l.f. studio; Primark will open in 2016 at Willow Grove (Pennsylvania) Park; and Garage will open at Woodland Mall, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Meijer is upping its game when it comes to trendy fashion with a spring launch of a Skechers concept shop.

The Skechers shop is opening inside the Knapp's Corner Meijer in Michigan, roughly one year after the retailer unveiled a fresh approach to lure grocery customers across the center aisle to its apparel offerings. 

Shoe Carnival credited “favorable weather” with its impressive spike in same store sales in the fourth quarter.

The Indiana-based retailer of moderately priced footwear and accessories reported that net sales in the fourth quarter ended Jan. 31 increased $27.3 million to $227.6 million, compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. Same store sales increased 9.5%, which exceeded the company’s guidance for the quarter. Earnings per diluted share were 15 cents.

New York – Foot Locker Inc. is significantly raising its long-term financial objectives for 2020, including achieving sales of $10 billion. The retailer also seeks to achieve sales per gross square foot of $600, net income margin of 8.5%, EBIT margin of 12.5%, return on invested capital of 17%, and inventory turnover of three or more times.

Chicago - West Marine will open a new 20,000-sq.-ft. flagship Midwest store on North Halsted Street in Chicago on April 23. The new Chicago store is located just off the North Branch Canal of the Chicago River that wraps around Goose Island.

Columbus, Ohio – DSW Inc. exceeded Wall Street expectations with profit in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. The specialty footwear retailer reported net income of $30.8 million, up 10% from $28.1 million the same quarter a year earlier.

Cost of sales grew at a slower pace than actual sales, helping boost profits. DSW plans to open 35 stores in fiscal 2015, including eight to 10 small format stores. Sales rose 12$ to $640 million, from $572 million.