Apparel

Total U.S. Shopper Traffic in Retail Stores and Malls for July 2013

Shopper activity increased last month, as ShopperTrak anticipated. Retail foot traffic increased 5.2% in July compared to June 2013. This is in line with recently reported positive month-over-month retail trends. However, foot traffic for July 2013 dropped compared to the same month in 2012 — with a decrease of 2.3%.

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. reported net sales of $3.87 billion for the second quarter of 2013, up 8% from $3.58 billion for the second quarter last year. Net sales for July of this year totaled $1.12 billion, close to 6% higher than $1.06 billion in July of the previous year.

Columbus, Ohio – L Brands, parent company of retail chains including Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works, is raising its income guidance for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 due to early sales results. Total revenue for July rose 4% to $678.4 million from $649.8 million, while same-store sales climbed 4%.

Gap Inc. continues to enjoy momentum at its namesake Gap stores and Old Navy units which pushed total company results up 8% to nearly $3.9 billion.

Results were strongest at Gap and Old Navy stores where comps increase 6% while Banana Republic comps declined 1%.

“We are pleased with our second quarter performance overall, and we’re focused on continuing our momentum as we move into the second half of the year,” said Glenn Murphy, chairman and CEO of Gap Inc.

New York – As a result of slumping net and same-store sales, Aeropostale is forecasting a net loss per share of between 42 cents and 44 cents during the second fiscal quarter of this year, which is 19 cents higher than the previously issued guidance. The revised estimate is based on a 6% decrease in net sales to $454 million, from $485.3 million in the year ago period.

By Ted Vaughan, [email protected]

The year 2012 was the best year for retail IPOs since 2002 — S&P Capital IQ reported seven offerings for the year — and when we released our 2013 IPO Outlook Study earlier this year, 30% of capital markets executives expected initial public offerings (IPOs) in the retail and consumer products space to continue to grow in 2013. Now that we’re well into the second half of the year, how have those expectations fared?

Jacksonville, Fla. – Stein Mart reported year-over-year increases in total and same-store sales during the second quarter of fiscal 2013. Total sales grew 3.8% to $74.6 million from $70.5 million, while same-store sales increased 6.4%, compared to same-store sales growth of only 1.6% during the second quarter of the previous year.

New York – Law firm Morgan & Morgan is investigating potential legal claims against the board of directors of Saks Inc. relating to the proposed acquisition of Saks by Hudson's Bay Company. Morgan & Morgan's investigation concerns whether Saks' board of directors breached its fiduciary duties to act in the best interests of Saks' shareholders and to take all necessary steps to ensure that Saks' shareholders receive the maximum value readily available for their shares of Saks common stock.