Apparel

New York -- TXT Maple Lake, an international provider of integrated and collaborative planning solutions, is pleased to announce that Samsonite Company Stores, the U.S. retail division of Samsonite, is turning to TXT technology in a bid to optimize inventory through more effective merchandise planning.
 
Selling luggage, business cases and accessories under the Samsonite, Samsonite Black Label, and American Tourister brands, Samsonite Company Stores operates retail stores in 38 states across the U.S.  
 

Milwaukee — The Marcus Corporation has announced the initial line-up of tenants at The Corners of Brookfield, an open-air, town-center-style development in Brookfield, Wis. The mixed-use 460,000-sq.-ft. development will be anchored by Wisconsin’s first Von Maur department store, which will span 140,000 sq. ft.

The announcement followed a vote by the Brookfield Board approving the development agreement between the town and Marcus. The agreement provides for tax incremental financing for the project.

Jos. A. Bank slightly increased its net income to $13.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 from $13.3 million in the same period a year earlier. The retailer also saw its net sales grow about 6% to $247.5 million, from $232.8 million.

Same-store sales declined 0.1%, although direct marketing sales increased 23.5% and combined same-store and online sales increased 2.4%. Jos. A. Bank incurred $1.2 million of legal and professional expenses in connection with the company's bid to acquire The Men's Wearhouse.

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. reported its November 2013 net sales increased 8% compared with last year. Same-store sales for the period rose 2%.

Net sales for the four-week period ended November 30, 2013 were $1.63 billion, compared with net sales of $1.52 billion for the four-week period ended November 24, 2012.

Although sales at Express during Thanksgiving week exceeded last year's, results did not meet the company’s expectations and it’s bracing itself for a tough holiday shopping season.

The specialty retail apparel chain operating approximately 630 stores reported net sales of $503 million, an increase of 7% from $468.5 million in the third quarter of 2012. Comparable sales increased 5% versus a decline of 5% in last year's third quarter. E-commerce sales increased 29% to $71.2 million this quarter, above last year's third quarter increase of 21%.

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks Corp. reported that net income for the quarter ended Nov. 2 rose to $8.6 million, from $3.6 million in the same period last year.

Sales edged up to $118.1 million from $117.3 million, and same-store sales increased 4.9%.

During the quarter, the retailer operated an average of 7.3% fewer stores than during the comparable period last year, reflecting its store rationalization program.

Sears Holdings chairman and CEO Eddie Lampert has pared down his stake in the retailing company, according to a regulatory filing Tuesday.

A Securities and Exchange Commission filing showed that Lampert reduced his stake in Sears Holdings to 48.4%, from a 55.4% stake reported in March. That leaves him with about 51.6 million shares in the company, whose stock was valued at $50.38 per share Wednesday morning on the NASDAQ, down from its opening price of $52.62.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -- Wet Seal recorded a loss of $14.9 million for the fiscal 2013 third quarter, essentially flat with last year.

Sales dipped to $127.7 million from $135.5 million, and same-store edged up 0.8%, including an increase of 1.7% at Wet Seal and a decrease of 6.7% at Arden B.