Apparel

PHILADELPHIA — Urban Outfitters announced net income of $39 million, or earnings per diluted share of 23 cents for the first quarter ended April 30, compared with net income of $53 million, or earnings per diluted share of 31 cents.

Total company net sales rose by 9% over the same quarter last year to $524 million. Comparable retail segment net sales, which includes direct-to-consumer channels, decreased 1% for the quarter while comparable store net sales decreased 5% for the quarter. 

PLANO, Texas — JCPenney posted first-quarter net income and comparable-store sales growth thanks to strong growth in key categories and better management of expenses. 

New York City -- Dillard’s will pay $50,000 and provide additional, unspecified relief to settle an age discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Triangle Business Journal reported.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. reported Monday that its first-quarter net income rose 6.7% amid cost-cutting and improved sales. The department store chain also raised its full-year earnings profit guidance.

The company on Monday reported net income of $64 million for the three months ended April 30, up from $60 million in the same period last year.

SAN FRANCISCO — Levi Strauss & Co. announced that it has named Anne Rohosy as EVP and president global Dockers.

As Dockers president, Rohosy will be responsible for all product, marketing and business operations for the global khaki brand, reporting to Levi Strauss & Co.pPresident & CEO John Anderson. She moves to this Dockers leadership position after two years as a SVP, overseeing Levi’s brand commercial wholesale operations in the Americas. Prior to joining Levi Strauss & Co., she spent 15 years with Nike.

Woodland Hills, Calif. -- GA Keen Realty Advisors, a division of Great American Group, has been retained to assist in the marketing and disposition of 70 leased properties across 21 states operated by Metropark, which filed for bankruptcy earlier this month. Metropark’s retail properties, which range in size from 2,000 sq. ft. to 3,500 sq. ft., are concentrated in the West (California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and Texas) and in the East (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Florida).

LONDON — Wal-Mart Stores' Asda division Asda confirmed that it was exploring opportunities to franchise its George at Asda range in markets overseas.

The company expects to announce its first overseas franchising partner in the next few months with the intention of establishing a small number of pilot stores in the Middle East in the first half of 2012.

George currently accounts for around half of Asda’s general merchandise sales and is already a growing global brand through Walmart stores in seven countries worldwide, the company reported.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot's charitable arm, The Office Depot Foundation, announced donations to help families and small businesses affected by the recent tornadoes in Alabama and the Southeastern United States.