Apparel

Berwyn, Pa. -- Planalytics has issued its weather outlook for the all-important days after Christmas when many consumers head to the stores to redeem gift cards and exchange presents. Here’s how the firm sees the forecast shaping up for the Northeast and South:

Atlanta -- Oxford Industries has acquired Sugartown Worldwide, the owner of the upscale women's lifestyle brand Lilly Pulitzer, which sells to better specialty and department stores as well as through its stores and other direct to consumer channels.

New York City -- Aeropostale announced three executive appointments that realign responsibilities and strengthen its leadership team. Among the changes, Marc D. Miller, senior VP of strategic planning and new business development, has been appointed CFO.

In other appointments, Michael J. Cunningham, president, will expand his role and assume additional responsibilities over planning and allocation, construction, logistics and real estate. He will also remain responsible for the finance organization, investor relations and information technology.

New York City -- The Finish Line said Tuesday that its fiscal third-quarter net income fell 37% as a one-time leg up from a tax windfall last year was not repeated.

Net income in the three months to Nov. 27 hit $4.1 million, from $6.6 million a year ago. Last year's tax benefit amounted to $6.4 million. Revenue rose 9% to $260.9 million, from $240.1 million. Same-store sales were up 4.5% from Nov. 28 through Dec. 19, compared with the same period a year ago.

The results were better than analysts’ estimates.

PITTSBURGH - American Eagle Outfitters announced its plans for American Eagle Outfitters and Aerie by American Eagle stores in Japan, in partnership with Sumikin Bussan Corporation. The first store is slated to open in Tokyo’s Harajuku shopping district in the first half of 2012.

AEO said it has signed an exclusive franchise agreement with Sumikin, a leading marketer, importer and exporter with extensive experience in the fashion industry, among other lines of business. 

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Ebay has announced the availability of Giftsnearby the first integration of its newly-acquired Milo shopping engine. 

According to the company, Giftsnearby shows shoppers a selection of popular holiday gift options ranging from electronics and other gadgets to home appliances and toys that are available at local retailers in or near their zip code. Only items that are in stock at a selection of more than 25 trusted retailers are offered as gift options.

With only a few days to go until Christmas retailers are already positioning themselves for post holiday success by touting promotions to capitalize on gift card redemptions. Target and JCPenney this week announced special incentives that begin the day after Christmas when both plan to open at 7 a.m.

Hoffman Estates, Ill.-based Sears.com accounted for 6.21% of multichannel Web traffic for the week ended Nov. 27, which included Thanksgiving and Black Friday, according to data released from Experian Hitwise.

The data showed Sears.com received 21.1 million visits for the week, just under JCPenney at 21.5 million visits, or 6.34% of total Web traffic. Walmart topped the list at 25.88% of all Web traffic, or 88 million visits, with Target ranking second at 15.26%, or 51.8 million visits.

Seattle - REI  (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) will to open a new store in Olympia, Wash. in the spring of 2011. 

The two-story, 25,000 square-foot store will be located off Cooper Point Road at Westfield Capital Shopping Mall. 

“REI looks forward to extending our roots further south in Puget Sound with the new store in Olympia,” said Kevin Golic, REI’s retail director for the Washington Alaska district. 

Pittsburgh - American Eagle Outfitters on Tuesday detailed its plans to open Eagle Outfitters and Aerie by American Eagle stores in Japan, in partnership with Sumikin Bussan Corporation. The first store is slated to open in Tokyo’s legendary Harajuku shopping district in the first half of 2012.

AEO has signed an exclusive franchise agreement with Sumikin, a leading marketer, importer and exporter with extensive experience in the fashion industry.