Apparel

Las Vegas -- On Monday morning, RECon 2012, the International Council of Shopping Centers’ annual retail real estate convention in Las Vegas, kicks off with an expected 31,000+ attendees from around the globe.

Running through Wednesday, May 23, RECon will encompass three halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center – or over 1 million sq. ft. – with more than 1,000 companies exhibiting and highlights such as The Cities of the World Pavilion and a keynote presentation by Leslie H. Wexner, founder of Limited Brands.
 

NEW YORK — JCPenney executives laid out further details of their strategy going forward during the chain’s quarterly conference call with investors. The call followed the release of JCPenney’s first quarter results, when it reported a worse-then-expected loss of $163 million, and a 19% drop in same-store sales.

JCPenney said it would launch a new private label apparel brand, jcp, for both men and women. The brand is set to debut in August.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Hibbett Sports raised its full year guidance after posting hefty sales and earnings growth for its first quarter. Sales for the first quarter ended April 28, increased 14.4% to $232.9 million compared with $203.7 million for the 13-week period ended April 30, 2011. Comparable-store sales increased 11.1%. Net income for the quarter increased 23.5% to $26.4 million compared with $21.3 million for the same period last year. Earnings per diluted share increased 29% to 98 cents compared with 76 cents for the same period last year.

Neiman Marcus took full advantage of its Northern California locale in the design of its store in Walnut Creek, Calif. The interior finishes and materials draw from the rich colors of the surrounding landscape, and the space takes advantage of the famed California sunshine. The two-level store—the 42nd Neiman Marcus store to date—offers a fresh take on modern luxury shopping in a smaller format for the upscale retailer, featuring 85.870 sq. ft. of selling space. 

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports Inc. said Friday that its fiscal first-quarter net income increased 24% on higher demand for sneakers and other athletic gear. The retailer also raised its profit outlook for the year.

For the three months through April 28, Hibbett earned a better-than-expected $26.4 million, up from $21.3 million in the same quarter last year.

Canton, Mass. -- First-quarter net income dropped 45% at Casual Male Retail Group Inc., hurt by a higher tax rate. The chain’s tax rate jumped to 40.4% from 10.1% due to the reversal of a valuation allowance in fiscal 2011.

The retailer reported Friday that it earned $2.3 million for the three months ended April 28. That's down from $4.2 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue edged up slightly to $95.9 million from $95.8 million on better sales at its DXL and Casual Male XL stores and more money spent per customer.

New York -- Ann Inc.'s fiscal first-quarter net income increased a better-than-expected 5%, boosted by growing sales at its Loft division. The chain, which also operates Ann Taylor, said Friday that it earned $28.7 million in the three months through April 28, up from $27.3 million a year earlier.

New York -- Foot Locker's first-quarter profit rose 36%, exceeding Wall Street predictions. For the quarter ended April 28, the company earned $128 million, up from $94 million in the same quarter last year.

"2012 has gotten off to an outstanding start, with our first quarter results representing the highest level of quarterly earnings in the company's history," said chairman and CEO Ken Hicks.

Sales rose 8.7% to $1.58 billion from $1.45 billion. Same-store sales increased 9.7%.

Las Vegas -- Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino said that five new stores will open at the center, and several tenants will unveil newly renovated spaces.

Garrett Popcorn will open this September in its first Las Vegas location; Jamba Juice has already opened its Miracle Mile Shops outlet, and blow-dry bar Dollheads will open this June. In November, GRATiAE will open a skin care products store.

Puyallup, Wash. -- Youngstown, Ohio-based Cafaro Co. said that Panera Bread will open a new bakery-café at its South Hill Mall property in Puyallup, Wash.

The new Panera Bread, slated to open this fall, will occupy a 4,300-sq.-ft. building recently vacated by Krispy Kreme.

The 1 million-sq.-ft. South Hill Mall is anchored by Target, Macy’s, J.C. Penney, Sears and Regal Cinemas, and features 120 specialty shops.