Apparel

New York — U.S. retail sales rose 1% in February, boosted by job gains, the tax cut and more seasonable temperatures, the Commerce Department reported Friday. It was the highest gain in four months. Sales excluding autos increased 0.7%.

The 1% increase followed a revised 0.7% rise in January that was more than double the previous estimate, according to Commerce Department figures.

New York — Ann Taylor Stores Corp. On Friday posted a bigger-than-expected quarterly profit on improved sales. The company, which said it will change its corporate name to Ann Inc. to better reflect its multichannel focus, also forecast strong first-quarter sales.

Birmingham, Ala. — Hibbett Sports Inc. said Friday that its fiscal fourth-quarter net income climbed 6% on higher sales. The sporting goods retailer also predicts its fiscal 2012 earnings will be in line with Wall Street's view.

Hibbett Sports reported net income of $12.5 million for the period ended Jan. 29, up from $11.8 million a year earlier, better than Wall Street expected.

Revenue rose 4% to $173.2 million from $166.8 million, but fell short of Wall Street's estimate of $174.2 million. Same-store sales rose 1.2%.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Stein Mart announced that net income for the fourth quarter was $18.8 million or 42 cents per diluted share compared with net income of $2.7 million or 6 cents per diluted share in 2009. Excluding the impact of a favorably tax benefit, fourth-quarter net income increased to $14.6 million or 32 cents per diluted share compared with $8.7 million or 19 cents per diluted share in 2009.

For the year, net income was $48.8 million or $1.08 per diluted share compared to net income of $23.6 million or 54 cents per diluted share in 2009. 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla . -- Stein Mart announced that its costume and sterling jewelry buyer, Lori Cassidy, was named to the 2011 Merchants Hall of Fame by the trade publication Accessories magazine.

NEW YORK -- Phillips-Van Heusen and Comfort Revolution announced that they have entered into a licensing agreement under which Comfort Revolution will market and distribute memory foam bedding and stadium seat cushions under PVH’s IZOD brand. The licensing agreement has an initial term of just over two years and provides for a three-year renewal at PVH’s option.

New York City -- Aeropostale's fourth-quarter profit slid 13% amid weaker gross margins and falling same-store sales. For the quarter ended Jan. 29, the chain posted a profit of $83.8 million, down from $96.6 million a year earlier.

Revenue increased 5% to $839.3 million, from $801.2 million in the year-ago period. Same-store sales decreased 3%.

For the full year, net sales increased 8% to $2.4 billion, from $2.23 billion a year earlier. Same-store sales inched up 1%.

Everett, Wash. -- Zumiez reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Jan. 29 almost doubled to $15 million, compared with net income of $8.8 million in the year-ago period.

Sales increased 17.9% to $156.2 million, from $132.4 million. Same-store sales increased 13 %.

For the full year, sales rose 17.5% to $478.8 million, from $407.6 million. Profit rose to $24.2 million, from $9.1 million in fiscal 2009.

Same-store sales increased 11.9% in fiscal 2010.

Atlanta -- The Hudson's Bay Co., based in Toronto, Ontario, said it has selected Warehouse Management from Manhattan Associates to help raise productivity within its distribution centers.

The retailer also selected solutions from Manhattan’s Transportation Lifecycle Management suite to streamline transportation processes for HBC across Canada, as well as for Lord & Taylor across the United States.

Charlotte, N.C. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said McAlister’s Deli has leased restaurant space at Cochran Commons in Charlotte, N.C.

McAlister’s Deli has leased 3,600 sq. ft. and is slated to open this summer.

Cochran Commons is a 66,020-sq.-ft. Harris Teeter-anchored shopping center that also features Great Clips, Caribou Coffee and Walgreens.