Apparel

A more cautious consumer led to weaker-than-anticipated traffic at Hibbett in the second quarter, prompting the sporting goods retailer to revise its earnings expectations for the full year.

Net sales for the 13-week period ended August 2 are expected to increase 4.2% to $194 million compared with $186.2 million for the year-ago period. Comparable store sales are expected to increase 0.1% for the quarter.

Seattle – Online specialty jewelry and diamond retailer Blue Nile Inc. reported net income of $2.17 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2014, a 1% drop from $2.2 million in the second quarter of the previous fiscal year. Net sales also decreased 1%, to $1.06.6 million from $108 million.

Blue Nile cited falling diamond prices as having an adverse effect on its financial performance during the quarter.

As the start of the school year gets closer, Kids Foot Locker has joined forces with Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul, widely known by fans, media and fellow athletes as CP3, to promote the store’s line of Jordan products.
 
A new commercial, produced by BBDO and slated to start airing on children’s networks Aug. 8, features Paul taking photos with young basketball players wearing Jordan gear.

Despite reporting a second-quarter sales increase of 5% and a digital sales increase of 9% — with mobile representing 15% of its total sales — HSN missed Wall Street expectations for its net income thanks to a 5% drop from $43.3 million a year earlier to $40.9 million for the quarter.

Overall net sales grew 5% over the prior year to $855.2 million.

Toronto – Canadian Tire Corp. has named Michael Medline, who has served as company president since November 2013, as president and CEO effective Dec. 1. Current CEO Stephen Wetmore has agreed to remain on the board of directors in a new, non-executive position of deputy chairman.

New York -- Costco Wholesale Corp. fell slightly short of estimates in July even as most other retailers who still report same-store monthly sales outperformed expectations.

The warehouse club giant reported a 5% rise in same-store sales for July, excluding gasoline, falling short of estimates for a 5.7% increase. The company said foreign currencies had a slightly negative impact. It was the first time in five months that Costco's sales have increased less than expected. Costco's total revenue for the month increased 9% to $8.55 billion.

Zulily remains a company to watch in the e-commerce world with strong second quarter sales growth coming from existing and new customers on mobile devices.

The Seattle-based company’s value priced offering of apparel, shoes, home décor and gifts resonated with shoppers during the second quarter ended June 29. Sales at the four year old company increased 97% to $285 million and adjusted earnings per share nearly doubled to nine cents from five cents the prior year.

New York – Ann Inc. expects to report a 2.3% decline in consolidated same-store sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2014. Total company net sales are now expected to be $648 million.