Apparel

Dallas -- J.C. Penney Co. said that its fourth quarter profit rose 36% to $271 million, helped by cost controls and improving sales in such areas as men's apparel, women's accessories and beauty products from in-store Sephora boutiques. The retailer also announced plans to buy back $900 million of its shares, starting next month.

Revenue in the three-month period ended Jan. 29 rose 2.8% to $5.7 billion. Same-store sales were up 4.5%.

Sears Holdings named Lou D’Ambrosio its new CEO in conjunction with the release of fourth-quarter results that sales and profits decline, as a 2.5% same-store sales increase at Kmart was not enough to offset a 4.5% comp decline at Sear’s flagship stores.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. -- Kohl’s reported that net income for the fourth quarter increased 14% to $493 million, or $1.66 per diluted share, compared with $431 million, or $1.40 per diluted share, a year ago. Net sales were $6 billion, an increase of 6.3% for the quarter. Comparable-store sales for the quarter increased 4.3%.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Limited Brands reported Thursday that its jumped 27% to $452.3 million in the fourth quarter, compared with $356.1 million in the year-ago period, on strong sales and healthy margins.

The parent to Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works previously announced that revenues for the quarter ended Jan. 29 rose 13% to $3.46 billion, beating Wall Street's estimate. Same-store sales increased 10%.

For the full year, net sales were $9.613 billion compared with net sales of $8.632 billion last year. Same-store sales rose 9%.

YORK, Pa. -- The Bon-Ton Stores announced the signing of a license and design agreement with Mambo Graphics PTY LTD for the exclusive launch of the Mambo brand in the United States. Under the agreement, Mambo will design the collection while Bon-Ton will manage the sourcing, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of the line.

Hingham, Mass. -- The Talbots unveiled its new store design at the Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, N.J.

The 5,500-sq.-ft. store has an upscale, residential feel, with a layout of five individual rooms for different merchandise stories.

Talbots chief creative officer Michael Smaldone collaborated with Robin Kramer of Kramer Design Group on the space.

Buffalo, N.Y. -- Headwear and apparel retailer New Era said Thursday it will expand its international presence with the opening of New Era Tokyo on Feb. 26.

The 1,100-sq.-ft. store, the retailer’s eighth global store, is located in Harajuku.

"We're focused on growing our retail presence internationally so having a flagship store in Japan's main city is really exciting," said Matthew Reeves, New Era Japan's managing director.

Seattle -- American Girl said Wednesday it will make its Northwest U.S. debut as it opens a new store this summer at Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood, Wash.

According to a report by the Seattle Times, the Middleton, Wis.-based retailer, a division of Mattel, said it is taking 12,500 sq. ft. of space spanning the mall's interior and outdoor Village.
 
The new store will replace several departed or relocated tenants, including Cold Stone Creamery, World Wrapps and Anchor Blue.

Salt Lake City -- Video interviewing solution-provider HireVue said Thursday that Nike has selected it to support its campus recruiting program, adding HireVue’s video interviewing platform to Nike’s recruiting process.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl's Corp. reported Thursday that its fourth quarter net earnings rose 14% and the board authorized the first dividend in the company's history. But the chain said consumers will remain cautious in 2011 and gave a full-year earnings forecast below Wall Street’s expectations.

Kohl’s said that income the quarter ended Jan. 29 increased to $493 million from $431 million a year earlier, slightly ahead of predictions. Revenue rose 6% to $6.04 billion from $5.68 billion, in line with projections.