Apparel

Los Angeles -- Guess Inc. on Wednesday reported that its second-quarter profit fell to $42.9 million, from $60.7 million a year ago. The company also lowered its full-year earnings outlook.

Total net revenue for the quarter ended July 28 fell 6.2% to $635.4 million, from $677.2 million.

The company’s retail stores in North America generated revenue of $253.0 million in the second quarter, down 3.1% from $261.1 million in the same period a year ago. Same-store sales fell 8.5%.

New York -- Aeropostale announced that Emilia Fabricant will join the company as executive VP of the Aeropostale brand. She will be responsible for all aspects of design, merchandising and production for the brand.

On Aug. 17, Fabricant resigned as president of Bebe Stores, Prior to then, she served as president and chief merchandising officer of Charlotte Russe.
 

New York -- Dutch brand apparel brand Scotch & Soda plans to open eight additional stores in the United States by the end of the year, Women’s Wear Daily reported. The company was acquired by Sun Capital Partners Inc. in 2011.

Stores are planed for New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Boston and San Francisco, according to the report. Unlike the existing Scotch & Soda locations in Miami and New York, the new units will be company-owned.

 

Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters Inc. said that its net income fell 4% in the second quarter as the retailer dealt with charges related to the closing of its children’s division, 77kids, which included 22 stores and the online business. But its adjusted results met analysts' estimates, and the company raised its full-year outlook.

For the second quarter that ended July 28, American Eagle earned $19.03 million, compared with $19.7 million last year.

Columbus, Ohio -- Express Inc. reported a 25% increase in net income for the second quarter. But the retailer slashed its profit outlook for the year and said that same-store sales barely rose last quarter and that it expects about the same for the rest of the year.

Express earned $15.8 million for the quarter ended July 28, better than analysts expected, compared with $12.6 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue increased 2% to $454.9 million, short of the $467 million analysts had expected. Same-store sales inched up 1%.

Sidney, Neb. -- Cabela’s Inc. announced today plans for two new stores, including its first-ever locations in Virginia and Delaware. Construction is expected to begin on the new locations in 2013, with the stores expected to open in 2014.

Cabela’s said it will build an 85,000-sq.-ft. store in The Falls, a new retail development in Bristol, Va., that will accommodate about 1.5 million sq. ft. of retail space.

In Delaware, the company will open a 100,000-sq.-ft. store adjacent to Christiana Mall, in Christiana. 

Fort Meyers, Fla. -- Chico's FAS Inc.'s second-quarter net income surged a better-than-expected 22% amid increased sales across its brands. The retailer, which has now topped analyst estimates for the last three quarters, raised the low-end of its 2012 revenue outlook, citing its performance for the first half of the year. 

Chico's earned $52.4 million for the period ended July 28, compared with $42.8 million in the same  period last year.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -- The Wet Seal said it has hired financial advisors and adopted a poison pill that discourages an investor from acquiring 10% of the company.

The move comes as Clinton Group, an investor with a 3.9% stake in the chain, has been putting pressure on the company to put itself on the block.

“We took this action to ensure the board has sufficient time to consider any option,” said Wet Seal chairman Harold Kahn.

DALLAS — Karen Katz, president and CEO of The Neiman Marcus Group, announced that Joseph Weber will be joining the company Sept. 4, as SVP, chief human resources officer.  Weber will be responsible for all areas of human resources and loss prevention including associate relations, learning and development, recruitment, compensation, internal communications and benefits.

NEW YORK — Nine West has launched a new YouTube network called Channel 9 that will feature premium programming and user-generated content.