Footwear

The footwear category is one fire judging from the recent performance of two leading retailers.

Brown Shoe Co., operator of 1,300 Famous Footwear and Naturalizer stores, said its same store sales for the quarter ended October 27 increased 6.8% and adjusted earnings increased 18.3% to $25.9 million or 51 cents a share.

Rival DSW, operator of 364 stores, said its same stores sales for the third quarter ended October 27 increased 6.1% and adjusted net income increased 17% to $46.6 million, or $1.02 per share,.

Burlington, Mass. -- Demandware announced that The Finish Line has launched new e-commerce and mobile commerce sites on the Demandware Commerce platform. The initiative is part of the retailer’s strategic move to a cloud-based digital commerce solution to power its omnichannel strategy.  The company will also use Demandware to power Run.com, a specialty brand that focuses on all things running.
 

Leading footwear retailer DSW said it would open between 25 and 30 new stores next year, adding to an existing base of 364 units.

The company disclosed its expansion plans in conjunction with the release of third quarter results that saw same store sales advance a hefty 6.1% and profits grow by double digits. Adjusted net income increased 17% to $46.6 million, or $1.02 per share, compared to $39.8 million, or $0.88 per share.

New York -- Macy’s has unveiled the redesigned shoe department of its Herald Square flagship in New York City. Described as the “world’s largest shoe floor,” the 63,000-sq.-ft. space features more than 250,000 pair of women’s shoes in an upscale environment.   

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group said that St. Louis Premium Outlets, located in Chesterfield, Mo., has moved up its opening date to Aug. 22, 2013, and will be joined by Nike, Cole Haan, Converse, Gymboree, Adidas, Wilsons Leather and Claire's Accessories.

Other previously announced tenants include anchor Saks Fifth Avenue Off5TH, Ann Taylor, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Brooks Brothers, Elie Tahari, J.Crew, Jones New York, Loft Outlet, Max Studio, Tommy Hilfiger, Van Heusen and Vera Bradley.

New York -- DSW Inc. reported Tuesday that net income fell 6.6% to $50.1 million, compared with $53.7 million in the same period last year.

Sales increased 11.7% to $592.7 million, compared with last year's third quarter sales of $530.7 million and beating Wall Street’s expected $548.1 million in revenue.

Same-store sales increased grew 6.3%.

The company said it plans to open 25 to 30 new stores next year.

Indianapolis -- The Finish Line announced the re-launch of Finishline.com with an enhanced focus on the customer.

Finish Line collaborated with several industry innovators on the re-launch. Big Spaceship, a digital agency dedicated to creating connective experiences, products and platforms, and Demandware, a  provider of cloud-based commerce solutions, have worked integrally with Finish Line’s digital and IT teams in the research, re-design and implementation of the site.

ROSWELL, Ga. — Dick’s Sporting Goods is looking at increased competition in its core Northeastern markets as PGA Tour Superstore prepares for the grand opening of its first retail location in Paramus, N.J.

The 57,000-sq.-ft. store will open its doors Wed., Nov. 21, and offer a wide selection of golf merchandise and apparel, including more than 15,000 golf clubs and 10,000 pairs of shoes for every level of golf and tennis enthusiast.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports reported Friday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 27 climbed 18.8% to $19 million, compared with $16 million in the year-ago period.

Sales rose 9.6% to $202.9 million, and same-store sales increased 6.4%.

The sporting goods retailer said it is on track to open 57 to 60 new stores in fiscal 2013, expand approximately 17 high-performing stores, and close up to 18 stores.

New York -- Private equity firm Apax Partners said Friday that it will acquire Cole Haan from Nike for $570 million in cash.  

Cole Haan sells through 108 domestic stores, 68 international stores, online and through department stores. It has been a part of Nike since 1988.

To effect the acquisition, Apax is partnering with Jack Boys, who led the revitalization of Converse.

The transaction is expected to close in early 2013.