Footwear

Armonk, N.Y. -- Apparel sales are expected to post year-over-year gains during the fall shopping season (August, September and October), with especially big increases in children's apparel, according to an analytics-based forecast by IBM.

Sales in children's apparel this fall are expected to total $2.6 billion, an 11.1% increase over the prior-year period. Women's apparel sales are projected to total $9.2 billion, up 3.1% over last year.

Indianapolis -- The Finish Line has invested $8.5 million to acquire an 18-store chain of specialty running shops with locations in Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Texas. The stores operate under banners such as Greater Boston Running Co., Texas Running Co., Georgetown Running Co., Princeton Running Company, New York Running Co. and others.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart announced that Roger Mason, Jr. of the New York Nets and Deion Branch of the New England Patriots will be featured in the company's social campaign for Protege, the company's exclusive footwear and apparel collection.

NEW YORK — Loehmann's, which operates 40 off-price apparel stores in 11 states, announced that it is kicking of New York Fashion Week with its first-ever runway fashion show at its New York flagship store in Chelsea on Sept. 8. The event, in celebration of Fashion's Night Out, will feature more than 25 creative looks complete with silhouettes and styles from Loehmann's famous "Back Room" collection of high-end designer collections, the company reported. 

Nashville, Tenn. – Genesco, parent to the Journeys, Lids and Johnston & Murphy banners, reported Wednesday a loss of $392,000 for the quarter ended July 31, compared with a loss of $3.2 million in the year-ago period.

Sales rose 29% to $471 million, from $364 million. Same-store sales surged 14%, with the Lids Sports Group up 12%, the Journeys Group up 15%, the Johnston & Murphy Group up 17%, and the Underground Station Group up 10%.

The company said it is raising its fiscal 2012 guidance, based on the performance.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — DSW's model of bringing designer goods to a budget-conscious consumer continues to pay off, as the company posted sales and earnings growth for its second quarter. DSW Inc. reported that net sales for the second quarter increased 4.7% to $476.3 million from $415.1 million in the second quarter of 2010. Comparable sales for the second quarter increased 12.3%. 

Reported net income was $139.9 million, or $3.96 per diluted share. This compares with reported net income of $26.9 million, or $1.00 per diluted share.

NEW YORK — Payless announced that it has expanded its partnership with designer Christian Siriano. His expanded collection will arrive Sept. 7 in 2,400 Payless stores across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and Payless.com.

This seasonal collection features a range of modern looks for everyday styling with an assortment of shoes and handbags offered at more moderate, accessible prices starting at $23 an item. 

Arlington, Texas -- Centro Properties Group US announced that Shoe Carnival will open a 10,210-sq.-ft. store at Bardin Place Center, located in Arlington, Texas. 

Bardin Place Center is owned by Centro Properties, based in New York City.
 

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group said that Tommy Bahama will open a new store at Town Center at Boca Raton, located in Boca Raton, Fla.

The new 3,400-sq.-ft. store is slated to open Sept. 1. The grand opening is scheduled for Sept. 10.

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW said Tuesday that its second-quarter profit soared, boosted by a hefty one-time gain related to its acquisition of Retail Ventures.

The results beat Wall Street expectations and the company boosted its full-year outlook.

For the quarter ended July DSW posted net income of $139.9 million, compared with $26.9 million for the same quarter last year.