Apparel

Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. reported a loss of $3.5 million in the first quarter in the same week the retailer found itself in the middle of a national controversy over one of its best-selling T-shirts.

Nashville, Tenn. – Genesco Inc. reported profit beneath Wall Street expectations in the first quarter of fiscal 2016, with planned inventory reductions and e-commerce-related expenses hindering growth. The retailer reported net earnings of $9.88 million, a 29% decrease from $13.97 million the same period the previous year.

Net sales rose 5% to $661 million from $629 million. Same-store sales grew 4%. Genesco said that West Coast port-related delivery delays impeded same-store sales growth.

Canton, Mass. – Destination XL Group Inc. shrunk its net loss to $574,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to $3.5 million the same quarter a year earlier. A shift to operating income from operating loss helped reduce total net loss.

During the current fiscal year, Destination XL intends to open approximately 32 DXL retail and eight DXL outlet stores. It also plans to close approximately 42 Casual Male XL and three Rochester Clothing stores.

Earlier this year, San Francisco sent shockwaves through the business community when it enacted the “Retail Workers Bill of Rights,” two ordinances that significantly burden retail employers operating in San Francisco by requiring large retailers to provide “predictability pay” to any employee who does not receive sufficient notice of scheduling changes.

Destination XL Group's reinvention seems to be appeaing to more customers as the retailer reported a boost in same store sales in the first quarter.

Richmond, Va. - InvenTrust Properties Corp. has acquired Westpark Shopping Center, a 176,935-sq.-ft., 95% leased shopping center located in Glen Allen, Virginia, for $33.75 million.  
 

Columbus, Ohio -- Express turned in a strong first quarter performance, with its profits and revenue surpassing Wall Street estimates. The retailer boosted its full-year earnings forecast and also issued second-quarter earnings guidance above analyst projections.

“2015 is off to a strong start,” said David Kornberg, president and CEO. “Our customers responded with enthusiasm to our assortment while we intensified our inventory discipline and scaled back our promotional activity.”

Hamilton, Bermuda – Signet Jewelers Ltd. topped Wall Street earnings estimates for the first quarter of fiscal 2016. Signet earnings rose 10% to $118.8 million, from $96.6 million the same quarter the previous fiscal year.

Total sales were $1.53 billion, up 45% compared to $1.06 billion. The increase was primarily driven by the addition of the Zale division. Same-store sales increased 3.6%. E-commerce sales were $76.9 million, up 98.7%, with Zale e-commerce sales a major driver.