Apparel

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred's on Thursday tallied $141.8 million in sales, representing an increase of 3% for the four weeks ended April 30, the retailer reported Thursday.

Comparable-store sales for the month rose 1.8%, versus an increase of 0.6% in the same period last year. Likewise,  Fred's total sales for the first three months of fiscal 2011 increased 3% to $484.4 million.

NEW YORK —  Consumers took advantage of Easter promotions and helped drive up sales at leading U.S. department stores.

Macy's Inc. reported total sales of $1.924 billion for the four weeks ended April 30, an increase of 10.9% compared with total sales of $1.735 billion in the four weeks ended May 1. The company’s same-store sales were up 10.8%, beating Macy’s guidance for comps to be up between 8% and 9%.

The Walmart Visitor Center in downtown Bentonville is set to reopen on May 21 after undergoing extensive renovations, which means the new facility will be able to accommodate the thousands of Walmart employees who will descend on the town for the company’s annual meeting on June 3.

Given the performance of Costco and BJ’s during April, it’s a safe bet that same-store sales at Sam’s Club continued to accelerate during the first quarter and will meet or exceed guidance provided at the end of the fourth quarter that called for an increase in the 1% to 3% range.

The 13.1% increase in same-store sales Target reported for April was toward the low end of the company’s projection of an increase in the mid-teens, but it doesn’t appear Walmart’s mid-month launch of a new marketing campaign contributed to the weakness.

Warrendale, Pa. -- Apparel retailer Rue21 announced the opening of its 500th etc! store, in Franklin Mills, Pa. The etc! format was introduced five years ago to highlight the company's expanded accessories category, and has since been incorporated into all new Rue21 stores and remodels.

The five categories of etc! -- footwear, fragrance/beauty, accessories, jewelry, and the area brand of intimate apparel and sleepwear -- are merchandised together in approximately 1,000 sq. ft. within Rue21 stores and have been important in driving incremental sales.

I’m not much of a follower of astrology and the signs of the zodiac, but I do know that 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit on the Chinese calendar.

It seems somehow fortuitous that speed and agility define a year that is all about economic recovery. And retail is moving forward at a rate that, while not exactly hare-like, is at least faster than the proverbial tortoise.

New York City -- Gap said its chief design director, Patrick Robinson, is leaving the company effective immediately. He had been executive VP of Gap Global Design for Adult and Body for four years.

The company said it will conduct a search for a successor.

Pam Wallack, head of the Gap Creative Center, made the decision to oust Robinson and will manage the design teams in the interim.

His departure follows a series of management shuffles and organizational changes aimed at reviving sagging sales of the brand.
 

New York City -- Retailers reported strong April sales that were boosted by the late Easter holiday, which fell on April 24, three weeks later than last year. Same-store sales rose 8.9% at the 25 retailers tracked by Thomson Reuters, compared with expectations for an 8.2% increase. But the good news was tempered as retailers acknowledged that shoppers are under increasing pressure from rising gas prices and other cost increases.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- HSN Inc. reported that total net sales for its first quarter grew 6% over the prior year to $724 million. Net sales at its HSN business increased 1% to $526.2 million, which included 7% sales growth at HSN.com. Cornerstone's net sales increased 20% to $197.8 million with e-commerce sales growth of 23%.

Adjusted EPS increased 14% to 41 cents compared with 36 cents in the prior year, the company reported. GAAP diluted EPS increased 13% to 34 cents compared with 30 cents in the prior year.