Apparel

Needham, Mass. -- PTC announced that Chico’s FAS has selected PTC Windchill FlexPLM product lifecycle management software to harmonize operations across category, brand, and departments.

By choosing Windchill FlexPLM across all of its brands, including Chico’s, White House|Black Market and Soma Intimates, the company is demonstrating a commitment to increase operational and inventory efficiency and reduce development time and production cost.

Toronto -- Opterus, a provider of web-based task management and store communications, announced that In the Pink Stores has chosen Opterus Store Ops-Center for improved communications and store execution management.

With most of their stores located at remote resort communities in New England, In the Pink’s unique business model incorporates a short-selling season with extremely high peak weeks, and some are only open part of the year. 

Los Angeles -- Guess said Wednesday that its fourth-quarter net income rose 19% on a boost in sales in Europe, Asia and North America.

Guess said it earned $103.3 million, compared with profit of $86.6 million, or 93 cents per share, during the same period a year prior.

Revenue rose 18% to $756.9 million from $642 million. The results beat the expectations of analysts.

New York City -- Private equity firm Golden Gate Capital Corp. agreed to sell a majority stake in J. Jill to Arcapita Bank BSC, a Bahrain-based investment bank, less than two years after buying the company. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Golden Gate will remain a minority shareholder in the company. J. Jill President and CEO Paula Bennett will continue to lead the chain.

Golden Gate bought J. Jill in June 2009 from The Talbots for about $75 million.
 

Charlotte, N.C. -- Cato Corp.'s fiscal fourth-quarter net income climbed 8% as revenue improved. The company earned $7.9 million, compared with $7.3 million a year earlier.

Sales for the quarter ended January 29, 2011 were $224.3 million, a 3% increase over sales of $217.7 in the year-ago period. Same-store sales increased 1%.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Pacific Sunwear of California announced that total sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 were $263 million, a decrease of 10% from total sales of $293 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. Total company same-store sales decreased 7% during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.

The company reported a net loss of $35 million, or 53 cents per share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 compared with a net loss of $36 million, or 56 cents per share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. 

SAN FRANCISCO  -- Levi's announced it has appointed Laurie Etheridge as the global lead of women's merchandising and design.  As SVP women's merchandising and design for the Levi's brand, Etheridge will be responsible for the design, development and merchandising of all of Levi's women's product categories across all its regions. Etheridge joins the company from Perry Ellis International where she leads merchandising and design for women's global fashion brands, including Jantzen, Jag, Perry Ellis and Southpoint.

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- The Children's Place Retail Stores has announced the appointment of James Bruce Marshall as SVP and managing director international business development, effective March 24. He will report directly to Jane Elfers, president and CEO.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group announced Wednesday that Las Vegas Outlet Center will open a major expansion on March 17, adding 13 new stores and approximately 70,000 sq. ft. of GLA, and bringing the center to more than 140 stores for a total of 535,000 sq. ft.

With this expansion, the center is being renamed Las Vegas Premium Outlets - South. The center was also recently renovated, receiving a complete external makeover with significant interior improvements as well.

Philadelphia -- Destination Maternity Corp. said Wednesday that it has opened a 10th Destination Maternity store in the Middle East, this one located in Discovery Center, in Kuwait.