Apparel

Redlands, Calif. -- Ascena Retail Group, whose brands include Dressbarn, Maurices, and Justice, is integrating Esri GIS analysis tools, demographic data, and map visualization into its business processes.

TOPEKA, Kan. — Net sales at Collective Brands during the first quarter increased 5% to $912.1 million over the same period last year, driven in part by an 8.1% increase in comparable-store sales. The company reported net income of $33.2 million, or 54 cents per share, compared with $26.4 million, or 42 cents per share, in the first quarter of 2011.

New York -- American Eagle Outfitters earned a better-than-expected $39.7 million for the quarter ended April 28, compared with $28.3 million in the same period last year.

The company had said earlier first-quarter sales rose 18% to $719 million. Same-store sales were up 17%.

Specialty retailer Brookstone has hired Stephen Bebis as its new president and CEO, effective immediately.

Prior to joining Brookstone, Bebis spent 14 years as founder, president and CEO of Golf Town, the largest specialty golf retailer in Canada. Starting the business from scratch, Bebis grew Golf Town to 57 locations across Canada and led the expansion of the company into the Boston market last year with seven stores.

Dallas -- Zale Corp reported a narrower third-quarter loss on Wednesday.

Zale’s net loss narrowed by about a half to $4.5 million in the third quarter ended April 30, from $9 million a year ago.

Revenues for the quarter ended April 30, 2012 rose 8.1% to $445 million, compared with $412 million in the same period last year. Same-store sales increased 8%.

Las Vegas -- Jersey Gardens, the largest outlet mall in New Jersey, is getting a makeover and a new brand identity. The 1.5 million-sq.-ft. center, in Elizabeth, N.J., will be rebranded The Outlet Collection/Jersey Gardens as part of a new strategy by developer Glimcher Realty Trust to introduce a new brand designation for its outlet centers going forward.

PITTSBURGH — American Eagle Outfitters is getting out of the children's business, announcing Friday that it is exploring a full or partial sale of 77kids, which includes 22 stores and the online business.

Robert Hanson, CEO of American Eagle Outfitters stated, “Although making this decision is disappointing, it is in the best interest of the company and our shareholders to prioritize and focus our efforts on businesses with the highest return potential. We thank the 77kids team for their hard work, passion and dedication.”

Toronto — That trip to the local restaurant is off the menu for consumers today, as are furnishings and electronics, Empathica reported on Thursday, citing its latest Consumer Insights Panel survey of more than 6,500 U.S. consumers. One-out-of-3 shoppers surveyed reported that the economy is still very much top of mind for them. But "need" items — gas, pharmacy and grocery — are not seeing declines in purchase intent compared to findings from this time the previous year, the report noted.