Apparel

February 2014 is projected to be the coldest in four years and drier than last year for the U.S. as a whole. Much colder year-on-year trends will be widespread at the start of the month, especially across the Central U.S. The axis of colder temperatures shifts to the Northern Tier of the U.S. by the second week of the month. Much colder trends early in the month will help to clear remaining winter merchandise. A taste of spring arrives in the Deep South in retail week three, making this a favorable time for categories such as sun care, apparel and cold beverages.

New York -- Coach Inc.'s net income dropped to $297.4 million in the second quarter, from $352.8 million a year earlier sales in North America fell sharply during the key holiday season.

Overall revenue for the three months ended Dec. 28 fell 5.6% to $1.42 billion, with a 13.6% decrease in comparable-store sales in North America.

Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters said that CEO Robert Hanson, would leave the company, effective immediately. He was appointed to the position in late 2011, after 23 years at Levi Strauss & Co., where he served in a number of executive roles.

Similar to many other teen retailers, American Eagle has been struggling. The company reported a profit of $24.9 million in the three months ended Nov. 2, compared to $78.6 million in the year-ago period. Revenue was $857.3 million, a decline from $910.4 million a year ago.

Toronto -- AJB Software Design announced that it has implemented chip+PIN secured payment cards for all of J.Crew’s store locations throughout Canada.

AJB’s flexible integrated payments (FIPay) software enables merchants to accept EMV transactions, which can result in fewer disputed charges, lower levels of fraud, while providing global interoperability.

Beachwood, Ohio — Nordstrom Rack will open locations at Lake Brandon Plaza in Brandon, Fla., and Harbison Court in Columbia, S.C., this fall. DDR Corp. owns and manages both centers.

Chicago  — R.P. Wurster has acquired the 49,967-sq.-ft. Plainfield Commons in Plainfield, Ind., for $6.35 million. The 100% leased community shopping center features anchor tenants Dollar Tree and Shoe Carnival. Shadow anchors include Target, Kohl’s, Pier One Imports and PetSmart.

Mid-America Real Estate Corp. in cooperation with Mid-America Real Estate Corp. — Indiana brokered the transaction on behalf of the seller, RPD Catalyst.
 

St. Louis -- Brown Shoe Company has selected Agilence Retail 20/20 as its exception reporting solution. The next-generation exception reporting solution will provide Brown Shoe Company with a platform for reporting on point-of-sale transactions, e-commerce, inventory adjustments, financials, and customer loyalty.

Las Vegas – Zappos Couture is launching a redesigned web presence with artistic direction and editorial from new artistic director Andre Leon Talley. Talley and Zappos Couture created the imagery for the new editorial in New York City's Industria Studios in December 2013.

Jacksonville, Fla. – Stein Mart, Inc. has named Burton M. Tansky to the company's board of directors. Tansky was with The Neiman Marcus Group for 23 years, retiring as president and CEO in 2010.

Stein Mart has elected Burton M. Tansky to the company's board of directors. Tansky was with Neiman Marcus for 23 years, retiring as president and CEO in 2010.

Before being named as CEO for the Neiman Marcus Group in 2001, Tansky was president and CEO of Neiman Marcus Stores. Prior to this he served as CEO of Bergdorf Goodman, a division of the Neiman Marcus Group, and as president of Saks Fifth Avenue.