Apparel

Dallas -- Zale Corp. said Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Jan. 31 surged to $27.2 million, compared with $6.7 million a year earlier.

Zale, which has struggled to regain profitability as the economy improves, posted net income of $27.2 million compared with $6.7 million, or 21 cents per share a year ago. Sales rose to $626.4 million for the quarter, from $582.3 million. Same-store sale rose 7.9%, compared with a decrease of 11.2% during the comparable period in the prior year.

Indianapolis -- MID Retail said Wednesday that Philadelphia-based Urban Outfitters has selected its Advanced Allocation Software to forecast and distribute merchandise for all store locations across its Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Free People brands.

MID Retail provides software solutions primarily for Merchandise Planning, Store Planning and Allocation, Fashion Replenishment and Assortment Planning applications for large retailers and national chains.

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks Corp. said Thursday that it has named Michael Lyftogt to the position of senior VP and CFO.

Lyftogt, a 12-year veteran of the company, has worked in a variety of financial roles including chief accounting officer and VP finance and has served as interim CFO since July 2010.

FORT MEYERS, Fla. — Chico's FAS announced Tuesday that it has appointed Kent Kleeberger to the position of EVP and COO.

Kleeberger will replace Jeffrey Jones, who is retiring from the company, effective March 7. Jones will serve as part-time consultant to the company during a transition period.

Kleeberger, 58, has served as EVP finance and CFO of Chico's FAS since joining the company in November 2007. Previously, he was SVP and CFO for Dollar Tree Stores.

NEW YORK — Saks returned to profitability in its fiscal fourth quarter as the chain sold more items at full-price and used fewer promotions.

The company reported net income of $25 million for the period ended Jan. 29, compared with a loss of $4.6 million a year earlier.

Revenue rose 7% to $866.3 million, topping Wall Street's estimate of $854.4 million. Same-store sales were up 8.4%, compared with the year-ago period.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — TJX Cos. reported a 15% drop in fourth-quarter earnings, dragged down by costs to close its A.J. Wright store division. The company also plans to repurchase $1.2 billion of its stock this fiscal year and raise its dividend.

The retailer earned $334.4 million in the three months ended Jan. 29, compared with $394.9 million in the same period last year.

Revenue rose 6.5% to $6.33 billion. Same-store sales were up 2% over the prior year’s strong 12% increase.

Framingham, Mass. -- TJX Cos. reported a 15% drop in fourth-quarter earnings, dragged down by costs to close its A.J. Wright store division. The company also plans to repurchase $1.2 billion of its stock this fiscal year and raise its dividend.

The retailer earned $334.4 million in the three months ended Jan. 29, compared with $394.9 million in the same period last year.

Revenue rose 6.5% to $6.33 billion. Same-store sales were up 2% over the prior year’s strong 12% increase.

New York City -- Saks returned to profitability in its fiscal fourth quarter as the chain sold more items at full-price and used fewer promotions. The company reported net income of $25 million for the period ended Jan. 29, compared with a loss of $4.6 million a year earlier.

Revenue rose 7% to $866.3 million, topping Wall Street's estimate of $854.4 million. Same store sales were up 8.4%.

Little Rock, Ark. -- Dillard's said Tuesday that its net income grew 38% in the fourth quarter as its sales improved and the retailer controlled expenses and inventory.

Dillard's earnings rose to $109.6 million in the three months ended Jan. 29, compared with $79.5 million one year earlier.

Sales rose 5% to $1.93 billion from $1.83 billion, with merchandise sales up 6% to $1.91 billion. The rest of its revenue comes from its CDI Contractors construction business. Same-store sales rose 7%.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Trademark Property Co. said Tuesday that it has been hired to oversee all retail leasing for Biltmore Park Town Square, a 42-acre, one million-plus-sq.-ft. mixed-use property in Asheville, N.C., developed by Biltmore Farms, LLC and Crosland, LLC.

The town center is anchored by an REI flagship store, Regal Cinemas, Barnes & Noble and features 276 urban residences and 270,000 sq. ft. of Class-A office space. It also offers a mix of local and regional retailers and restaurants in addition to a 165-room full-service Hilton Hotel.