Apparel

New York — Ann Taylor Stores Corp. On Friday posted a bigger-than-expected quarterly profit on improved sales. The company, which said it will change its corporate name to Ann Inc. to better reflect its multichannel focus, also forecast strong first-quarter sales.

PLANO, Texas -- JCPenney is giving underprivileged teens the chance to have their very own prom dress, while at the same time encouraging those more fortunate to give to a worthy cause. The company announced that from March 13 through April 2, customers can donate their gently worn prom dresses at one of more than 1,100 JCPenney stores nationwide.

Miami Beach, Fla. -- Terranova Corp. announced the addition of Rent-A-Center to El Mercado Shopping Center, located in Hialeah, Fla.

The new store will occupy approximately 4,000 sq. ft.

El Mercado is anchored by Publix, along with Anna’s Linens, GNC, Pollo Tropical and a United States Post Office.

Atlanta -- The Hudson's Bay Co., based in Toronto, Ontario, said it has selected Warehouse Management from Manhattan Associates to help raise productivity within its distribution centers.

The retailer also selected solutions from Manhattan’s Transportation Lifecycle Management suite to streamline transportation processes for HBC across Canada, as well as for Lord & Taylor across the United States.

In the Feb. 24 edition of SiteTalk, we asked you about Borders'just-announced Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closures, and to what retailers you thought some of that prime real estate would go. Here is what two of our readers had to say:

"[I think they will go to] regional furniture chains [Value City] and regional electronics such as Hhgregg."
-- Joe Deckop
Columbus Consulting
Columbus, Ohio

NEW YORK -- Phillips-Van Heusen and Comfort Revolution announced that they have entered into a licensing agreement under which Comfort Revolution will market and distribute memory foam bedding and stadium seat cushions under PVH’s IZOD brand. The licensing agreement has an initial term of just over two years and provides for a three-year renewal at PVH’s option.

Kearney, Neb. -- The Buckle reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Jan. 29 rose to $49.5 million, compared with $42.1 million in the year-ago period.

Sales rose 10.4% to $303.1 million, from $274.4 million.

Same-store sales increased 6.3%.

For the full year, The Buckle reported that net income rose to $134.7 million from $127.3 million in 2009. Yearly sales increased 5.7% to $949.8 million, from $898.3 million. Same-store sales edged up 1.2%.

Oro Valley, Ariz. -- Commercial Retail Advisors said that Belle Chic Salon & Spa has signed a lease for 1,385 sq. ft. in Placita de Oro Shopping Center, located in Oro Valley, Ariz. The new salon is slated to open this March.

Belle Chic is moving from an existing location, where it had been for three years.