Apparel

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Limited Brands reported that adjusted earnings per share for the first quarter ended April 30, were 40 cents compared with adjusted earnings per share of 25 cents for the quarter ended May 1.  First quarter adjusted net income was $129.8 million compared with adjusted net income of $82.9 million last year, the company reported. 

Limited Brands reported that comparable-store sales for the first quarter increased 15%, and net sales were $2.217 billion compared to $1.932 billion last year.  

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings reported a first-quarter net loss of $170 million, or $1.58 per diluted share, in line with the company's expectations for a net loss in the range of $145 million and $195 million, or between $1.35 and $1.81 per diluted share. The company reported net income of $16 million, or 14 cents per diluted share, in 2010.

SECAUCUS, N.J. — The Children's Place Retail Stores has announced net sales of $430.8 million for the first quarter ended April 30, a 2% increase compared with $422.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Comparable-retail sales declined 3.2% in the first quarter of 2011.

The company reported that income from continuing operations after tax was $29.1 million, or $1.10 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2011, compared to $28 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2010.

San Francisco -- Gap reported Thursday that its first-quarter earnings plummeted 23% as costs rose faster than expected, and the chain dramatically lowered its full-year earnings forecast.

Gap is spending about 20% more to produce each item than it did a year ago -- a much faster rise than it expected, the Associated Press reported.

Gap’s net income was $233 million for the quarter ended April 30, compared with $302 million. The performance was slightly better than analysts expected, however.

Everett, Wash. -- Zumiez reported Thursday net income of $1.9 million in the first quarter, compared with a loss of $1.9 million in the year-ago period. The retailer said it plans to open 44 new stores in fiscal 2011, including its first stores in Canada.

The results for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 include costs of approximately $1.2 million associated with the relocation of the company's distribution center from Everett, Wash., to Corona, Calif.

Columbus, Ohio -- Limited Brands reported Wednesday that strong sales boosted its first-quarter profit to $165.2 million, up 47% over its prior-year profit of $112.5 million. The company warned that rising costs will hurt its margins this year.

The parent of Bath and Body Works, Victoria's Secret and La Senza previously reported a revenue increase of 15% to $2.22 billion. Same-store sales rose 15%.
 

New York City – Aeropostale reported Thursday that net income for the first quarter decreased 64% to $16.4 million, compared to $45.4 million last year.

Revenue rose 1% to $469.2 million, from $463.6 million. Same-store sales decreased 7%.

The company opened nine Aeropostale and seven P.S. from Aeropostale stores, and closed one Aeropostale store during the quarter.

New York City -- New York & Co. reported Thursday a loss of $3.7 million in the first quarter, compared with a loss of $4.9 million a year ago.

Sales rose to $239.4 million from $237 million. Same-store sales increased 2.5%.

The company said it expects to close eight stores and remodel six existing locations, ending the second quarter of fiscal year 2011 with 545 stores, including 24 outlet stores.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -- The Wet Seal reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended April 30 rose to $8 million, compared with $3.1 million a year earlier.

Revenue rose to $156 million from $137.8 million. Same-store sales increased 7%.

Wet Seal said it expects eight net new store openings in 2011, with six net openings at Wet Seal and two at Arden B.
 

Canton, Mass. -- Casual Male Retail Group reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended April 30 edged up 1% to $4.2 million.

Revenue increased 1% to $95.8 million from $95 million, missing Wall Street's estimate of $97.4 million. Same-store sales rose 2.2%.