Apparel

WTI expects March 2014 to trend similar in temperature to last year and below normal for the U.S. as a whole. The month starts out with cold, possibly record-breaking, in the North along with some potentially snowy and/or icy weather as a storm system moves through. Colder trends linger into the second week of the month, but toward St.Patrick’s day, temperatures look to take a turn toward trending warmer than last year.

Gap reported a 12.5% decline in fourth-quarter profit, with its results impacted by heavy discounting during the holidays. The retailer also issued a profit outlook for the full year that is below analysts' expectations, and said it will open 30 additional U.S. stores during fiscal year 2014.

Gap reported net income of $307 million for the three-month period ended Feb. 1, better than the Street expected, down from $351 million in the year-ago period.

Purchase, N.Y. — KicksUSA, a regional retailer offering athletic footwear and family apparel, has opened a 4,600-sq.-ft. store at CooperTowne Center in Somerdale, N.J., according to National Realty & Development Corp., the owner of the center.

Wal-Mart Supercenter, Cinemark Theatres and LA Fitness anchor CooperTowne Center.

Fort Worth, Texas — Trademark Property Co. has announced multi-year leases for seven new tenants soon to open in Alliance Town Center in North Fort Worth, Texas.

New Albany, Ohio – Abercrombie & Fitch Co.'s fourth-quarter net income plunged 58%, less than Wall Street expected, amid several one-time charges, including costs tied to the closure of its Gilly Hicks’ stores. The company’s board also approved a $150 million accelerated share repurchase plan, to be executed during the first quarter.

For the quarter ended Feb 1, Abercrombie’s income fell to $66.1 million from $157.2 in the year-ago period. For the full year, income declined 77% to $54.6 million from $237 million last year.

New York – Aeropostale Inc. is reportedly working with investment bank Barclays plc to investigate options including selling the company to a private equity firm or a regular equity sale. According to Bloomberg, Aeropostale CEO Tom Johnson is already trying to reverse four consecutive quarters of losses through new products and the closure of up to 40 stores.

In November 2013, major investor Crescendo Partners sent Aeropostale a letter demanding the company sell itself. Aeropostale and Barclays did not comment in the article.

New York -- Retailers making headlines with store expansion plans include new players as well as global powerhouses. Just in the starting gate is Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, a new specialty grocery format featuring value-priced healthy and organic offerings. The company plans to open over 60 stores throughout the Midwest during the next five years.

Management consulting firm Kurt Salmon has named Tom Cole as a partner in its Retail and Consumer Products Group.

Abercrombie & Fitch’s fourth quarter was affected by the company’s closure of 24 Gilly Hicks stores in the fourth quarter, as well as other asset impairment charges and charges related to its profit improvement initiative.

Although the company’s net income decreased significantly in the quarter — 58% — it did not fall as much as Wall Street expected.

The company’s board also approved a $150 million accelerated share repurchase plan, to be executed during the first quarter.