Apparel

Clothes aren’t the only thing big at Destination XL as evidenced by a double digit third quarter comp increase aided by omnichannel integration.  

Sales at Destination XL increased 5% to $93.6 million, compared with $88.7 million in the prior-year quarter. Same store sales increased 5.5%.  

Enhanced onmichannel capabilities were among the factors that incoming Foot Locker CEO Dick Johnson cited as contributing to the company’s increase in third quarter profits and same store sales.

Profits for the third quarter climbed to $120 million, or 82 cents per share, compared with profits of $104 million, or 70 cents per share, in the prior-year quarter. Third quarter same store sales increased 6.9% to $1.7 billion this year, compared with sales of $1.6 billion for the prior-year period.

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. - The Wet Seal announced that Thomas R. Hillebrandt will assume the role of interim CFO, effective December 1, 2014, concurrent with the previously announced resignation of Steven H. Benrubi, the company’s current CFO.   Hillebrandt has served as VP and corporate controller at Wet Seal since September 2013.   

Omaha, Neb. – Gordmans Stores Inc. has named Lisa Evans as executive VP and chief merchandising officer effective Jan. 5, 2015. Evans was most recently the executive VP and brand leader for children’s apparel brand Carters, and previously was senior VP and general merchandising manager with Macy's.   Evans’ earlier experience included a variety of senior merchandising leadership roles with the Kaufmann's and Foley's divisions of the former May Company.

The news that Zappos opened its first freestanding store caught by the industry by surprise. Here are two expert views:   

With consumer surveys and holiday forecasts a dime dozen this time of year, Customer Growth Partners CEO Craig Johnson offers his take on some of the biggest fallacies regarding retail spending.

Customer Growth Partners, a consulting and research firm focused on retail and other consumer industries has determined that the top 10 biggest holiday myths of 2014 are:

New Canaan, Conn. - Count on Customer Growth Partners president and CEO Craig Johnson to provide a refreshing break from the standard Black Friday forecast.  Here’s his take on the top 10 retail-related holiday myths of 2014:   

Hibbett Sports reported relatively flat third quarter same store sales, but the company achieved record new expansion and is prepared to surpass 1,000 units in 2015.

For the third quarter, Hibbett posted profits of $16.9 million, down from $17.3 million in the prior-year quarter. The decline was mainly due to markdowns related to slow selling and aged inventory, the company said.