Apparel

Seattle -- Nordstrom Inc. reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended Oct. 29 rose 6.7% to $127 million, compared with $119 million in the year-ago period.

Net sales rose 14.2% to $2.4 billion, surpassing Wall Street’s expected $2.35 billion and up from $2.1 billion a year earlier.  Same-store sales climbed 7.9%.

The company opened two full-line department stores – in Nashville and St. Louis -- and nine Nordstrom Rack stores during the quarter.
 

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Corp. reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended Oct. 29 rose 20% to $211 million, compared with $176 million in the year-ago period.

The retailer cited cost cuts and strong demand for exclusive brands for the strong performance, which matched Wall Street expectations.

When it comes to Black Friday, you’re either in or you’re out. If you’re like me, the whirlwind of retail chaos that swirls around shopping centers the Friday after Thanksgiving can feel a bit overwhelming. The sales and deep discounts are tempting, but wading through crowds and fighting for parking spaces is not my idea of a “happy” holiday. But I have plenty of friends and family – and I’m sure you do too – who look forward to Black Friday with the anticipatory excitement of kids on Christmas Eve.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target announced that it  has partnered with fashion and music icon Gwen Stefani to create Harajuku Mini for Target, an exclusive collection featuring apparel and accessories for girl and boy infants and toddlers and tween girls. The first installment of this collection will be available beginning Nov. 13 at Target stores.

Ontario, Calif. -- Last Call by Neiman Marcus will open a first-to-market store in May 2012 at Ontario Mills, a Simon-owned property that is the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in California with more than 200 stores.

New York City -- Uniqlo, the fast-growing apparel retailer from Japan, has implemented queue management systems from Lawrence, a Tensator Group Company, at its two new flagships in New York City (Fifth Avenue and 34th Street).

The custom-designed sleek, stainless steel Tensabarrier guidance system is designed to echo the ultra-modern store interior while helping guide customers easily through the checkout process and increase efficiencies in customer flow.

CINCINNATI — Macy's Inc. reported that earnings were 32 cents per diluted share for the third quarter of 2011, ended Oct. 29, compared with earnings of 2 cents per diluted share in last year's third quarter, or 8 cents per diluted share in last year's third quarter excluding expenses of 6 cents per share associated with the repurchase of debt.

Palo Alto, Calif. -- Shopkick, the location-based shopping app, announced that Old Navy has joined its partner alliance, with Shopkick walk-in rewards to be live in all of Old Navy's nearly 1,000 U.S. locations. To celebrate, Old Navy will offer $10 off of a $40 purchase plus 150 Shopkick reward points for the partnership's first weekend (Nov. 10 – Nov. 13), available exclusively through the Shopkick app.