Apparel

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores Inc. reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended July 28 jumped 23% to $182 million, from $148.3 million in the year-ago period. Results met Wall Street expectations, but the company issued profit predictions for the current quarter and full year that were below average forecasts. Same-store sales rose 7% in the quarter.

New York -- Aeropostale reported Friday that net income for the second quarter was $100,000, compared with $2.9 million last year.

Sales increased 4% to $485.3 million, from $468.2 million in the year-ago period. Same-store sales, including the e-commerce channel, were essentially flat, compared with a 12% decrease last year. Excluding e-commerce, same-store sales dipped 1%, compared with a 14% decrease last year.

The company has lowered its third-quarter guidance.
 

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Limited Brands reported that adjusted earnings per share for the second quarter were 50 cents compared with 48 cents for the same period last year. Adjusted net income was $147.2 million compared with $150.7 million last year. 

Comparable-store sales for the second quarter increased 8%, and net sales were $2.4 billion compared with $2.46 billion last year. 

PLEASANTON, Calif. — A new era is beginning at Ross Stores, as the company set out plans to elect a new CEO in 2014. At the same time, the company continues to put its trust behind vice chairman and CEO Michael Balmuth, agreeing to extend Balmuth's employment agreement through May 2016.

Columbus, Ohio -- Limited Brands reported Wednesday that net income in the second quarter dropped 38% to $143.6 million, from $231.2 million in the year-ago period.

The owner of Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works and La Senza saw revenue slip 2% in the quarter to $2.4 billion, meeting Wall Street expectations. Same-store sales grew 8%.

The company also raised its earnings guidance for the year, although it expects a weak third quarter.
 

Thousand Oaks, Calif. -- NewMark Merrill Cos. said that Sweet Tooth Dental Center and Dish Restaurant will open at Janss Marketplace, in Thousand Oaks, Calif., bringing the center to 97% occupancy.

Dish Restaurant signed a 10-year lease for a 6,548-sq.-ft. space near Aaron Bros. and RadioShack. The new restaurant at Janss Marketplace, which is the second location for Dish, is slated to open in mid-Sept.

Sweet Tooth Dental Center signed a five-year lease and has opened in a 2,613-sq.-ft. space near Dressbarn and Payless Shoe Source.

City of Industry, Calif. -- Hot Topic reported Wednesday a loss of $800,000 for the second quarter, tightened from a $6.2 million loss in the prior-year quarter.

Revenue rose 4.6% to $157.8 million compared with $150.9 million, and same-store sales increased 3.9%.
 

Foot Locker is kicking up its heels in the United Kingdom. The footwear giant has opened a new format — The Locker Room — with an eye to rolling it out throughout England and continental Europe. The concept expands Foot Locker’s core strength in athletic footwear to include apparel and accessories for a wide range of performance sports.