Apparel

Stein Mart is preparing to launch its e-commerce business. The company expects the initiative to have a negative bottom line impact this year, in part, because of startup costs.

For the second quarter ended Aug. 3, however, the company is enjoying total sales of $291 million, up 3.8% from the prior-year quarter. Comparable store sales increased 6.4%. 

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Ross Stores credited strong sales and merchandise gross margin for its better-than-expected results for the second quarter ended Aug. 3.

The company reported earnings per share of $.98, up from $.81 for the prior-year quarter — a 21% increase on top of a 27% gain in last year's second quarter. Net earnings for the 2013 second quarter grew to $213.1 million, up 17% from $182 million in the prior year.  

LOS ANGELES — Global lifestyle brand Guess? has appointed Michael Relich as the company’s chief operating officer. As part of the brand’s executive leadership team, Relich will report to co-founder and CEO Paul Marciano.

Relich spent nine years as the brand’s chief information officer. Relich has had increasing global responsibilities, leading a number of areas, including IT, distribution/logistics, e-commerce and strategic planning.  

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap has elected Padmasree Warrior, chief technology and chief strategy officer of Cisco Systems, to its board of directors, effective Sept. 30.

“Padma is an accomplished business leader with nearly 30 years’ experience within the technology industry, as both a strategist and innovator,” said Glenn Murphy, Gap Inc. chairman and CEO. “As we increase our investment in serving customers across all channels, Padma’s relevant expertise will be an asset to our board and management team.”

Los Angeles — Hong Kong is by far the world’s most expensive city for global retailers, but prime rents in New York City, London, Tokyo and Zurich are on the rise, according to research from CBRE Group, Inc.

CBRE’s second quarter 2013 ranking of the top 10 prime global retail markets saw little change relative to previous quarters; however, four of the top 10 markets — New York City, London, Zurich and Tokyo — saw quarterly increases in prime retail rents. Only one market saw a quarterly increase in the first quarter.

New York -- The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index remained flat in July as improvements in real housing prices and labor markets offset weakness in other areas. The Index, which tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending, remained at 4.4 this month.  

LOS ANGELES — JustFab and ShoeDazzle have entered into a definitive agreement to merge and form one fashion subscription e-commerce business.

With the merger, the two brands will be able to expand their customer base in the United States and further accelerate international and category expansion plans. The combined company is expected to be profitable in 2014.

Savannah, Ga. -- Citi Trends Inc. lost $5.5 million for the period ended Aug. 3, compared to a loss of $7.9 million in the same quarter a year earlier.
 
Revenue rose 4%, to $137.8 million from $132.3 million, nearly matching Wall Street’s prediction of $138.1 million. Same-store sales were up 1.7%.