Apparel

Los Angeles -- Guess Inc. reported Wednesday a profit of $36.6 million for the third quarter, down 44.7% from net earnings of $66.3 million in the same period last year.
 
Revenue fell 2.2% to $628.8 million, from $642.8 million in the prior-year quarter, but beating analysts’ expected $624.8 million in revenue. Retail sales in North America dipped 1.3% to $262.1 million. Same-store sales overall dropped 6%.
 
The company said economic pressures hurt consumer confidence in most of its markets.

Greensboro, N.C. -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers and Peterson Companies announced that construction has commenced on Tanger Outlets National Harbor, located in the National Harbor, the Washington, D.C., area's premier waterfront resort destination.

Developed by Peterson Companies, National Harbor comprises 350 acres of prime real estate along the scenic Potomac River in Prince George's County, Md. Tanger Outlets National Harbor will feature approximately 80 leading brand name and designer outlet stores.

New York -- Facebook said referral traffic to retail sites from Facebook on Cyber Monday increased 240%, compared to average referral traffic for the last several Mondays.

Among  U.S. retailers, Walmart, Toys “R” Us, Macy’s, Amazon and Converse were the five most talked-about brands on Black Friday, according to Facebook’s People Talking About metric.

TJX Companies reported a 3% comp increase on top of a prior year gain of 4% while Ross Stores said posted a comp increase of 2% compared to last November’s 5% comp increase.

Total sales at TJX increased 7% to $2.2 billion during the November reporting period and so far this year sales at the company have advanced 10% to $20.3 billion. Total sales for November at Ross increased 6% to $813 million and so far this year are up 11% to nearly $7.8 billion.

New York -- Blaming superstorm Sandy for its disappointing November results, Macy’s reported a 0.7% dip in same-store sales and missed Wall Street’s expected 1.5% rise. The results were echoed by much of the category.

"Despite the largest-volume Thanksgiving weekend in our company's history, we were not able to overcome the weak start to the month, which included the disruption of Hurricane Sandy," said Terry J. Lundgren, chairman, president and CEO of Macy’s. Total sales for the month slipped 0.6% to $2.45 billion.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group Tanger Factory Outlet Centers announced Wednesday a joint venture to develop two new upscale outlet centers in Charlotte, N.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

New York -- Ann Inc. on Wednesday reported net income was $40.7 million in the third quarter of 2012, versus $32.3 million in third quarter 2011. The company also increased its outlook for the full year of fiscal 2012.

Total net sales for quarter were $612.5 million, compared $564.0 million in the year-ago period. By brand, net sales across all channels of the Ann Taylor brand totaled $244.6 million compared with net sales of $229.7 last year At the Loft brand, net sales across all channels were $368.0 million, compared with $334.3 million last year.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Bayer Properties announced that, through a joint venture between it and institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management, has acquired The Avenue Webb Gin outdoor mixed-use shopping center from Atlanta-based Cousins Properties.