Apparel

Fort Myers, Fla. – Higher costs reduced profits at Chico’s FAS Inc. during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 even as net sales grew. Chico’s reported net income of $39.88 million, a 22% year-over-year-drop from $51.12 million in the year-ago period.

New York -- Legendary Los Angeles retailer Fred Segal is going global. The company, which was acquired by media and licensing company Sandow in 2012, plans to open up to 10 luxury retail lifestyle centers in the United States and across the world during the next five to 10 years. And leading the expansion will be its newly hired CEO, retail veteran Paul Blum, who most recently served as CEO of Juicy Couture. Prior to that, he served as CEO of David Yurman and Kenneth Cole Productions.

DSW may have had a challenging first quarter, driven by unseasonal weather and an aggressively promotional retail environment, but the company is looking to strengthen its competitive advantage by investing in omnichannel and assortment planning.

The company reported a sales decrease of 0.4% to $599 million for the first quarter ended May 3, compared to last year's first quarter sales of $601 million. Comparable sales decreased by 3.7%.

Brown Shoe Company’s first quarter results exceeded expectations according to CEO, president and chair Diane Sullivan, and the company is raising its annual EPS guidance range as a result.

Women’s apparel retailer Chico’s FAS increased its store count by 99 units in the first quarter even as traffic declined and profits tumbled.

Foothills Ranch, Calif. -- Fashion retailer Wet Seal Inc. swung to a loss in its  first quarter amid declining sales. The company reported a loss of $21.8 million, compared with a year-earlier profit of $3.1 million.

Sales fell 17% to $116.7 million. Total same-store sales, including e-commerce, fell 16.9%.
 
Wet Seal said it was challenged by  weak mall traffic, higher promotional activity and disruptive weather as challenges for the quarter.

Pittsburgh -- Dick’s Sporting Goods on Tuesday announced grand openings for three new stores.

The company will hold opening celebrations June 6 through June 8 for the following locations: Lawrence, Kansas; Culpepper, Virginia; Arden, North Carolina.

With the openings, Dick’s will operate 570 stores nationwide.

New York - Aeropostale Inc. has entered into definitive agreements with respect to its previously announced strategic partnership and $150 million senior secured credit facilities with Sycamore Partners. As previously announced on March 13, 2014, the senior secured credit facilities with affiliates of Sycamore Partners consist of a five-year $100 million term loan facility and a ten-year $50 million term loan facility that includes a sourcing arrangement with MGF Sourcing, also an affiliate of Sycamore Partners.

Milan, Italy – Luxottica is rolling out the SAP Fashion Management application. The retailer is implementing the solution with the goal of bringing wholesale and retail operations onto a single, vertical platform sharing the same master data, global inventory and processes.

Montreal -- Town Shoes Ltd. will upgrade its POS and merchandising systems with the Jesta I.S. Vision solutions in its network of close to 200 stores across Canada. With the upgraded suite of solutions, Town Shoes will be able to modernize its supply chain and deliver the right products to customers, faster than ever before.