Footwear

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Retail Ventures reported that income from continuing operations for the quarter ended Jan. 29 was $5.7 million on net sales of $468.5 million, compared with the loss from continuing operations of $5.3 million on net sales of $402.6 million for the same period last year. DSW same-store sales increased 14.9% during the fourth quarter versus an increase of 12.9% last year.

Las Vegas -- Boulder, Colo.-based Wenger took top honors as Store of the Year in the Association for Retail Environments’ (A.R.E.) annual retail design competition. It’s the first U.S. retail outpost for the company, which is best known as the maker of the Swiss Army Knife.

Columbus, Ohio -- Retail Ventures, parent of off-price shoe retail chain DSW, reported Monday that net income for the quarter ended Jan. 29 was $5.7 million, compared with a loss of $5.3 million a year earlier.

Sales for the quarter were $468.5 million, up from $402.6 million in the year-ago period. DSW same-store sales increased 14.9%.

For the full year, net income was $51.8 million, compared with a loss of $65.6 million the year before. Sales were $1.82 billion, compared with $1.60 billion for the prior year.

Katy, Texas -- Houston-area sports retailer Academy Sports + Outdoors announced Tuesday that it will enter the Atlanta market with a new store opening on April 1.

The 70,000-sq.-ft. store is located in McDonough, and is the chain’s fourth store in Georgia.

TOPEKA, Kan. and MIAMI -- Payless ShoeSource announced that it is now partnering with internationally acclaimed Colombian fashion designer, Silvia Tcherassi, to create the latest Payless designer label, Silvia Tcherassi for Payless, with an initial collection available in May.

SEATTLE -- REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.) announced 2010 sales of $1.66 billion, up 14% from $1.46 billion the previous year, proving that even in a down economy outdoor enthusiasts will find ways to support their passion. Net income in 2010 was $30.2 million, up 1.4% from $29.8 million in the previous year. The company’s direct sales channel, which includes online and catalog sales, grew by 22.9%. Comp-store sales grew by 8.1%, up from negative 3.5% in 2009.

Bensalem, Pa. -- Charming Shoppes said it would close 240 unprofitable stores in 2011, or nearly 12% of its total outlets, and that more than half of those would be Fashion Bug stores.
 
The locations were not disclosed.

The company said all 30 of its Catherines Plus Sizes stores in outlet locations would be shuttered over a two-year period.
 

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has announced plans to remodel several stores in the Charlotte area. According to the company, the remodeling will begin March 27 and will add such features as open-market fresh food layout, complete a selection of fresh produce, fresh meat and baked goods. The new layout also includes reinventions in several other areas throughout the store such as beauty, home, baby and shoes.

NEW YORK -- Teen fashion retailer Delia's has announced the appointment of two shareholder representatives to its board of directors effective March 25. The two new directors are Michael Zimmerman, the founder and CEO of Prentice Capital Management, LP, and Mario Ciampi, the managing partner of Prentice Capital Management, LP. Zimmerman will also serve as a member of the corporate governance and nominating committee, and Ciampi will be a member of the compensation Committee.

Willow Grove, Pa. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that Jos. A. Bank will open a new store at its Willow Grove Park shopping mall this spring.

The 4,465-sq.-ft. store will be located next to Bloomingdale’s and will join Men’s Wearhouse and Tux, Express, J. Crew, Banana Republic and Guess, expanding Willow Grove Park’s men’s fashion collection.