Apparel

New York -- Costco Wholesale Corp. was among the retailers who topped sales expectations in May as warmer weather encouraged consumers to go out and shop.

Costco’s same-store sales rose 6% in May, with a 6% rise in U.S. sales and a 4% increase in international sales, better than analysts had expected.

At L Brands, owner of Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works, same-store sales were up 3 in May, better than projections. Total revenue for the month rose 4% to $763.6 million.

Persistent winter weather took a bite out of Stein Mart’s net income in the first quarter, but the retailer rallied once the weather improved. It closed the quarter with total and comparable-store sales increases, and the upward trend has continued through May.

The company reported total sales for the four-week period ended May 31 of $109.6 million, a 2.2% increase over total sales of $107.3 million for the four-week period ended June 1 last year. Comparable store sales for the month increased 0.4% from comparable store sales for the same month last year.

New York -- This spring, The Mall at Short Hills in Short Hills, New Jersey, welcomes four new boutiques: The Art of Shaving, Calypso St. Barth, Geox and Maje.

Now open on the lower level, The Art of Shaving offers men’s luxury grooming products.

New Jersey’s first Calypso St. Barth boutique is now open on the upper level. Inspired by travel, culture and the arts, Calypso offers women’s apparel, accessories and home décor.

Sydney, Neb. -- Cabela’s Inc. on Wednesday announced plans for three new stores in three new markets: Huntsville, Alabama; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Woodbury, New York.

Ascena Retail Group president and CEO David Jaffe said sales in the third quarter were challenging, and despite comparable sales declines at Justice and Dressbarn, new store growth at Justice and Maurices, along with higher comparable sales at Lane Bryant, Maurices and Catherines bolstered the company’s overall results.

The company’s third-quarter profit rose to $33.2 million, from $31.2 million in the year ago period. Revenue inched up 0.3% to $1.145 billion, compared to $1.142 billion a year earlier. Total same store sales rose 1%.

King of Prussia, Pa. -- eBay Enterprise, an eBay company, plans to increase adoption of omnichannel commerce technologies globally after securing 451 clients and 862 extension and renewals in the first half of 2014. The brands that turned to eBay Enterprise to power their retail growth include Alex and Ani, Boxpark, Destination XL, Karmaloop, MailPix and StubHub.

Current clients have also added new services to enhance the consumer experience.

Skechers Performance Division has signed seven-time PGA Tour champion Matt Kuchar — currently ranked fifth in the world — as the first brand ambassador for the Skechers GOgolf line.

The multiyear partnership will feature Kuchar in a global advertising campaign that covers TV, print, digital and outdoor mediums. The company will also collaborate with Kuchar on a namesake signature shoe line.
 

Toronto -- Hudson's Bay Co. (HBC) swung to a profit in its first quarter, boosted by strong sales at Saks Inc., which it acquired last year. Hudson's Bay has announced plans to bring Saks to Canada, starting with two locations in Toronto in 2015.