Apparel

Framingham, Mass. -- The TJX Cos.' fiscal third-quarter earnings rose 7%, topping its own forecasts, as the discount retailer's sales improved.

The company reported a better-than-expected profit of $372.3 million, up from $347.8 million in the year-ago period. Net sales rose 5% to $5.53 billion, from $5.24 billion. Same-store sales increased 1%.

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters recorded earnings of $73.1 million for the quarter ended Oct. 31, a 17% hike over the $62.4 million recorded in the prior year period, helped by higher sales and improved growth in comparable store net sales. Quarterly earnings were ahead of the analysts' expectations, while sales came in short of the consensus.

Revenue rose 13.4% to $573.6 million, missing Wall Street estimates of $580 million.

San Francisco -- Levi Strauss and Co., Wal-Mart Stores, The Gap, Hanesbrands, Nordstrom, and Gildan Activewear scored highest on survey of global supply chain compliance programs of U.S. apparel brands and retailers released Tuesday by corporate responsibility group As You Sow.

New York City -- Loehmann’s on Monday filed for bankruptcy.  The off-price retailer said it had negotiated a restructuring plan with owner Istithmar Retail Investments and noteholder Whippoorwill Associates before the filing that would cut debt by $115 million. Istithmar and Whippoorwill agreed to invest $25 million in the company, according to court papers.

San Francisco -- The Gymboree Corp. reported Monday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 30 dipped slightly to $34.4 million, compared with net income of $34.8 million in the year-ago quarter.

Revenue increased 4% to $280.9 million, compared with $269.1 million in the prior year. 

Same-store sales decreased 4%.