Apparel

Everett, Wash. -- Teen retailer Zumiez Inc. reported Thursday that profit for the fourth quarter increased 24.9% to $18.7 million, from $15 million a year earlier, boosted by better margins.

Revenue rose 18% to $183.9 million, edging Wall Street’s expected $183 million in revenue.

The company has now surpassed analyst estimates for four quarters in a row.
 

Dallas -- Neiman Marcus Group said Friday it has opened its 42nd store, a full-line department store in Walnut Creek, Calif. The opening of the store makes California the retailer’s third largest market, behind Texas and Florida.

Neiman Marcus Walnut Creek features 85,870 sq. ft. of dedicated specialty retail space, personal shopping areas for men and women, cosmetics treatment rooms, an NM Café and a special events room.
 

Los Angeles -- Guess Inc. has grabbed onto the Pinterest social media tool to launch a new contest for its customer base.

The “Color Me Inspired” contest, for which Guess collaborated with four style bloggers, invites the Pinterest community to showcase how color inspires them for a chance to win a pair of color-coated denim from the Guess spring collection.

The one-week Pinterest campaign kicked off on March 8.
 

Beachwood, Ohio -- Mall owner DDR Corp. said Friday that Dick's Sporting Goods will open stores at two of its shopping centers in Utah.

The new Dick's Sporting Goods locations will replace former F.Y.E. stores and result in higher and longer-term contracted rents. At the same time, the re-tenanting improves the merchandise mix and credit quality of cash flows at the shopping centers by replacing underperforming stores with a market-share and category-leading retailer.

New York -- Aeropostale Inc. reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended Jan. 28 dropped to $26.1 million, from $83.8 million a year earlier, hurt by heightened supply-chain expenses.

Revenue dipped 4% to $808.4 million in the quarter, and same-store sales fell 9%. Results edged Wall Street’s expected $807.6 million in revenue.

For the full fiscal year 2011, Aeropostale posted a profit of $69.5 million, compared with $231.3 million last year. Revenue to $2.34 billion, from $2.40 billion in fiscal 2010.

New York City -- Ann Inc. reported Friday that net income for its fiscal fourth quarter dropped to $2.2 million from $8 million in the year-ago period, hurt by heavy promotions at namesake stores.

Sales increased to $566.7 million, from $515.3 million, and same-store sales for fourth quarter rose 5.3%.

By brand, same-store sales plummeted 10.9% at namesake stores, but rose 8.1% at Loft stores. Strength in the online channel boosted overall same-store results.

New York -- Women’s apparel retailer Maurices plans to open approximately 60 stores this year, according to the Duluth News Tribune. The total includes the chain’s first international location, in Canada.

Maurices currently has 803 stores in 44 states, with the count up 32 stores since June.
 

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart Inc. reported Thursday that its net income fell to $5.7 million for the fiscal fourth quarter, down from $18.8 million last year. The chain said it was returning to its strategy of emphasizing everyday low prices after heavy coupon promotions took a toll on the retailer's financial performance during the past year.

Revenue for the quarter ended Jan. 28 was down nearly 3% to $328.1 million, from $336.7 million. Same-store sales were down 2.2%.

New York -- TradeCard, a supply chain collaboration and global trade platform, announced that women’s apparel retailer MS Mode has successfully deployed TradeCard to eliminate costs and improve efficiencies in its global supply chain.

The TradeCard solution allows MS Mode to transition away from agents and handle sourcing in-house without increasing overhead.

Kearney, Neb. -- The Buckle Inc. said Thursday its fiscal fourth-quarter net income rose a better-than-expected 13% to $56.1 million amid higher same-store sales and growing online demand.

Revenue rose 11% to $337.1 million from $303.1 million. Same-store sales increased 8%. Online sales, which are not included in that total surged 31% to $27.6 million.

Buckle, which also sells tops, shoes and other clothing, caters to teens.