Footwear

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Quarterly net earnings at Shoe Carnival fell to $3.2 million, compared with $3.3 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 13.1% to $205.7 million from $181.9 million, and same-store sales edged up 0.5%.

For the full year, profit rose to $29.3 million from $26.4 million, sales increased 12.1% to $855 million, and same-store sales advanced 4.5%.

In fiscal 2013, the company said it expects to open 30 to 35 new stores, relocate seven stores and close five to seven stores.

Boston -- City Sports announced that it has named Ted Manning as chief merchandising 0fficer.

Manning joins City Sports following nearly two decades of service with outdoor retailer Eastern Mountain Sports, most recently as their EVP, where he developed strategies for retail expansion, merchandising, product development and marketing. Manning began his career at EMS in store management, climbing the ranks to hold posts as a product manager, merchandise director and VP/general merchandise manager.
 

Evansville, Ind. -- Shoe Carnival reported Monday that net earnings for the quarter ended Jan. 28 slipped to $3.2 million, compared with $3.3 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 13.1% to $205.7 million from $181.9 million, and same-store sales edged up 0.5%.

For the full year, profit rose to $29.3 million from $26.4 million, sales increased 12.1% to $855 million, and same-store sales advanced 4.5%.

Indianapolis -- The Finish Line said its fourth-quarter profit dropped 18% as gross margins fell and overall sales declined more than analysts expected. The chain’s adjusted earnings and same-store sales growth, however, were in-line with its expectations.

For the fourth quarter ended March 2, Finish Line reported net income of $34.3 million, down from $41.9 million a year earlier.

Nashville, Tenn. -- GBT Realty Corp. said Wednesday it has closed on the purchase of approximately 20 acres along Pooler Parkway in Pooler, Ga., for the development of the Village on Pooler Parkway. The development will consist of more than 143,000 sq. ft. when completed in the first quarter of 2014.
 

Plano, Texas -- A Tuesday report by Reuters said that embattled J.C. Penney Co. has recently revived its previously abandoned pricing strategy of raising prices on its own brands then discounting them as a way to spike sales and margins.

Citing an emailed statement by Penney spokeswoman Daphne Avila, Reuters reported that the retailer began changing price tags on merchandise earlier in March and expects to complete the process in April.

SUFFERN, N.Y. — Ascena Retail Group announced that Erin Stern has accepted the position of EVP and chief merchandising officer with their Maurices brand effective April 15. Maurices (based in Duluth, Minn,) is an 860-store chain serving a twenty-something female (sizes 0 to 24) in small- and mid-markets.

David Jaffe, president and CEO of the Ascena Retail Group, commented, “Erin is an outstanding merchant with a strong strategic vision and understanding of this customer. Erin is an exceptional hire for this role.”

New York -- Saks Fifth Avenue announced Monday that John Cruz has been named SVP and director of the New York City flagship store, effective April 29.

Cruz currently serves as VP and general manager of the company’s Beverly Hills store. He has worked at the NYC store before – as general manager 2005-2007 and VP and GM 2007-2010.

Cruz replaces Suzanne Stemper-Johnson, who is leaving Saks to pursue other interests.

Boulder, Col. -- More consumers are trying new fashion retailers this year compared to last year – and most are buying when they do. H&M is the retailer that consumers reported visiting for the first time most often, followed by Kohl’s, Macy’s, Abercrombie & Fitch and Forever 21.

Camp Hill, Pa. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust announced that DSW has opened a 17,500-sq.-ft. store at PREIT’s Capital City Mall property, located in Camp Hill, Pa.

The mall completed the space for DSW — the retailer’s first in the area — by building on an additional 5,000 sq. ft.