Apparel

Seattle --Nordstrom announced it will open a 42,222-sq.-ft. Nordstrom Rack at Westfield Plaza Bonita shopping center in National City, Calif. The new store will open on Oct. 27.

The new Nordstrom Rack will be the company's third Rack store in the greater San Diego area, joining Westfield Mission Valley in San Diego and Grand Plaza in San Marcos.
 

New York City -- A.S. Cooper & Sons, one of Bermuda’s signature retailers, continues its recent trend towards modernization and innovation by upgrading its POS retail system. The chain has gone went 'live' with JDA Solutions’ point of sale/retail management system.

New Albany, Ohio -- Abercrombie & Fitch Co. said Wednesday that overseas strength pushed its net income to $25.1 million for the first quarter, compared with a loss of $11.8 million a year earlier.

As previously reported, revenue rose 22% to $837 million, helped by a 64% surge in international revenue.

Fort Myers, Fla. -- Chico's FAS said Wednesday that profit for the first quarter was $45.9 million, compared with $35.4 million in the year-ago period.

Net sales increased 11.5% to $537.2 million, from $481.6 million in last year's first quarter. Consolidated same-store sales rose 7.7%.

The operator of Chico’s, White House|Black Market and Soma Intimates said it anticipates opening 21 net new stores in the May-June 2011 time frame.

Columbus, Ohio -- The Bath and Body Works unit of Limited Brands said Tuesday it has named former Lands’ End president Nick Coe as its new CEO.

Current CEO Diane Neal, at the helm since 2007, will remain in that role through the summer. After that, she will transition into an advisory role with the company and work from San Francisco, according to the company.

Before working a Lands' End, a subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corp., Coe held senior merchandising jobs at Gap’s Banana Republic and at Levi Strauss.
 

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart reported first-quarter earnings that were above the company's guidance, reflecting stability and strength in global operations, according to president and CEO, Mike Duke.

Walmart's net income was $3.4 billion, or 98 cents per diluted share, compared with net income of $3.3 billion, or 87 cents per diluted share. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio — DSW has named Todd Cordell as SVP human resources.  Cordell will be responsible for all human resources activities in support of DSW Stores, DSW.com, and the DSW leased business division.  

"Todd brings a wealth of experience and expertise in all areas of the Human Resources function, most particularly Organizational Development," said Michael MacDonald, CEO of DSW Inc.  "I am confident Todd will help DSW attract, develop and retain top talent in support of our key strategic growth initiatives."

NEW YORK — Saks Inc. announced reported net income of $28.4 million, or 16 cents per diluted share, for the first quarter. For the prior year first quarter, the company recorded net income of $18.8 million, or 11 cents per diluted share. 

Stephen Sadove, chairman and CEO, noted, "I am very pleased with our first quarter results. Our improved year-over-year performance was driven by a 10.2% comparable-store sales increase and continued gross margin rate improvement."

Framingham, Mass. -- TJX Cos. reported Tuesday that net income for the first quarter plummeted 20% on the closing of its A.J. Wright stores, but strong sales buoyed the retailer’s full-year forecasts.

TJX earned $266 million in the quarter ended April 30, compared with $331.4 million in the year-ago period. Revenue increased 4% to $5.22 billion, surpassing Wall Street's estimate of $5.14 billion.

Same-store sales increased 2%.

TJX raised the low end of forecast for full-year adjusted earnings.
 

Houston -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has leased space to two new restaurants in Houston at Fort Bend Center.

Baskin Robbins has leased 1,280 sq. ft., and The Fish Place has leased 1,380 sq. ft. of space. Both restaurants are slated to open in July.

The 97,000-sq.-ft. shopping center is anchored by Kroger alongside national retailers such as LA Fitness, Starbucks, Wendy’s, and Cato.