Apparel

Soft traffic and promotional activity have continued to put Guess’ North American stores under pressure, but the retailer said it is encouraged by its North American online business, which soared 50% in the second quarter.

The company reported net earnings of $22 million, a 50.5% decrease compared to adjusted net earnings of $44.3 million for the year ago period, which prompted the retailer to cut its fiscal year outlook.

Sales for the quarter decreased 4.8% to $608.6 million, from $639 million a year ago. Same-store sales decreased 5.4%.

One retail category that’s been fascinating to watch evolve over the last several years is the women’s athletic apparel segment. Judging by the number of times reporters have asked me about women’s athletic apparel retailers in the last few months, I’m not the only one who thinks so.

Harrisburg, Pa. -- The Shoppes at Susquehanna Marketplace, in Susquehanna Township, Pennsylvania, is celebrating its 10th anniversary by adding dining, spa services and two in-demand retailers, announced The Shoppes’ owner and developer, Stanbery Development.

Solid comparable sales gains and a strong topline performance in Genesco’s direct businesses were not enough to offset a sales and gross margin shortfall versus plan at the company’s Lids Sports Group, prompting the company to lower its guidance for the full fiscal year.

The company reported earnings from continuing operations for the second quarter ended Aug. 2 of $4.8 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, compared to earnings from continuing operations of $8.5 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended August 3, 2013.

Orlando, Fla. -- JLL continues to build its retail brokerage practice in Florida with the addition of Andrew Dieringer, Terrence Hart and Brandon Delanois. The trio bring more than 40 years of retail agency leasing and tenant representation experience to the team, and will be based in the firm’s Orlando office. Together, they will partner with John Lambert, Florida Retail Market Lead for JLL, and Justin Greider, VP of JLL, to help investors achieve their asset goals and work with retailers to identify and secure optimal new locations.

St. Louis – Brown Shoe Company increased net income 17% to $18.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2014, from $15.4 million in the same period the prior year. Net sales rose 2% to $635.9 million from $621.7 million, while same-store sales at its primary Famous Footwear brand climbed 1.6%.

Brown Shoe credited back-to-school sales at Famous Footwear, supported by a strong omnichannel customer experience, as helping to drive second quarter results. Brown expects positive same-store sales growth at Famous Footwear in the third quarter.

Denver - The Running Specialty Group, part of The Finish Line Inc. organization, has appointed Bob Wallace as senior advisor, strategic initiatives. Wallace founded specialty running retail chain RunON, which Running Specialty Group purchased in 2012.

Wallace will serve as a key counselor to strategically plan and integrate growth opportunities surrounding industry trends while focusing on attaining operational excellence and being an ambassador to the running community. He entered the specialty running business in 1995.

Hamilton, Bermuda – Sixty-five days of performance from its new Zale division cut net income at Signet Jewelers Ltd. but boosted sales at Signet Jewelers Ltd. in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Expenses related to the Zale acquisition helped reduced net income 13% to $58 million, from $67.4 million a year earlier.