Apparel

New York -- Dallas-based SRS Real Estate Partners said that Select Comfort Corp., which operates the Sleep Number Store, has leased several new locations in and around New York City.

In Danbury, Conn., the company leased 2,580 sq. ft. at the Shops at Marcus Dairy, an 80,000-sq.-ft. shopping center tenanted by Whole Foods, Eastern Mountain Sports and Panera Bread.

By Randy Frischer, [email protected]

Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters said Friday that its first Philippines store opened on March 1, at Bonifacio High Street in Taguig City, Manila.  
 
The retailer said that additional stores are planned in 2013 throughout the country, operated by franchise partner Suyen Corp.

Following a year of rapid expansion, specialty apparel retailer Body Central said it will pare new store growth to 25 units in 2013 from 39 openings last year.

Body Central opened 13 stores during the fourth quarter to end the year with 276 units operating under the Body Central and Body Shop banners which, according to the company, target women in their late teens and twenties from diverse cultural backgrounds who seek the latest fashions and a flattering fit.

New York -- Limited Brands is putting the expansion of its teen-favorite Pink division into high gear.

On the chain’s quarterly conference call, company representatives said Pink will more than double its store count this year, growing from 34 stores to 83 stores by yearend.

New York -- Lane Bryant announced the opening of its new 7,835-sq.-ft. flagship in New York City.

Located near Herald Square, the store has a feminine, contemporary look and features such amenities as fitting rooms with lighting that can be adjusted to office, daylight and evening settings. New imagery and design is prominent throughout the store, plus fixtures that allow for high-impact merchandise displays.

Lane Bryant, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ascena Retail Group, operates 805 stores.

Littleton, Mass. -- Dover Saddlery Retail, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dover Saddlery, will open its first New York store, in Huntington (on Long Island), on April 19.

The store, which will evoke the look and feel of a premium equestrian stable, will feature an extensive range of riding apparel, tack and horse care supplies from all the leading brands. The location, as all Dover Saddlery stores, will offer helmet, boot and coat fittings as well as demo saddles for test rides in a wide selection of models.

Sixty percent of retailers with at least two years of negative comps turn them positive.

Here’s how. 

Two years of deep same-store sales declines can easily feel like a death sentence for most retailers. However, the data suggests it is indeed far from that. 

We analyzed all specialty retailers with sufficient public data over the last 20 years—nearly 70 retailers—and found that the majority of retailers who substantially underperformed the market ended up turning their comps positive in relatively short order. 

Fourth quarter operating profits at Sear’s Holdings on an adjusted basis improved. 22% and same store sales at Sears flagship stores turned modestly positive.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s Corporation reported fourth quarter diluted earnings per share of $1.66 compared with $1.81 for the fourth quarter of 2011. Net income for the fourth quarter was $378 million compared with $455 million a year ago. For the year, net income was $1 billion ($4.17 per diluted share) compared with $1.2 billion ($4.30 per diluted share) for fiscal 2011.

Total sales for the quarter were $6.3 billion, an increase of 5.4% over sales of $6 billion for the same period last year. Same-store sales for the quarter were up 1.9%.