Apparel

Lands’ End profit plummets in tough Q1
Dodgeville, Wis. – Profit plummeted in a difficult first quarter of fiscal 2015 for Lands’ End Inc. that also saw sales decline. Cost of sales and other expenses declined at a smaller rate than revenues, leading to net income of $1.72 million, down 84% from $10.86 million the same quarter a year earlier.

Net merchandise sales and services declined 9% to $299.39 million from $330.48 million. Same-store sales dropped 12.1%.
Amazon, Publix, Whole Foods have best reputations
Boston - For the third year in a row, Amazon claims the top spot in Reputation Institute’s annual survey of America’s top 50 most reputable companies in the retail industry. Amazon is the only company of all the retail companies surveyed to achieve an excellent reputation.

Supermarket chains moved up in the ranking this year, with Publix ranking second and Whole Foods jumping five spots to third place in 2015.

America’s top 10 companies in the retail industry in 2015 are:

1. Amazon.com

Neiman Marcus plans Pinterest purchases

Dallas - Neiman Marcus Group customers will be able to purchase items through the new “Buyable Pins” e-commerce service across Pinterest, including the company’s Pinterest page, later in June. Millions of pins on Pinterest will now become buyable, meaning customers will be able to purchase Neiman Marcus items they have pinned or discovered on any iOS-enabled device with a few taps.
No end in sight for Lands' End sales troubles

Lands’ End Inc. reported profit and sales declines in the first quarter as the retailer grappled with West Coast port delays and headwinds from foreign exchange rates.
GS1 honors Macy's, other retailers for innovation

GS1 US has recognized three companies with GS1 US Apparel and General Merchandise Retail Industry Achievement Awards.
Amazon has top reputation in retail in 2015

For the third year in a row, Amazon has claimed the top spot in the Reputation Institute’s annual survey of America’s 50 most reputable companies in the retail industry.
Mother's Day a boon for L Brands

The Mother's Day holiday drove up traffic at L Brands, which reported a surge in same store sales for May.

The company reported that net sales increased 5% to $799.1 million for the four weeks ended May 30, compared to net sales of $763.6 million for the four weeks ended May 31, 2014. Same store sales for the four weeks ended May 30, increased 5%.
Report: Gap eyes Toys"R"Us space in Times Square

Gap Inc. is eyeing the 110,000-sq.-ft.
Guess beats Street with swing to Q1 profit

New York – Guess Inc. beat Wall Street expectations with net earnings of $3.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016, compared to a net loss of $2.1 million the same period a year earlier. Reductions in pretax expenses pushed Guess out of the red into the black.

Total net revenue decreased 8% to $478.8 million, from $522.5 million. Foreign currency fluctuations drove the decline. Same-store sales, including e-commerce, dropped 5.9%.
Ascena misses Street with Q3 profit, revenue

Mahwah, N.J. – Ascena Retail Group Inc. fell short of Wall Street expectations for profit and revenue in a difficult third quarter of fiscal 2015. Net income fell 23% to $24.4 million, from $33.2 million in the same quarter a year earlier.
Study: Silent dissatisfied customers pose risk

Chicago - It may seem counterintuitive, but retailers should welcome the irate shopper who vents their frustration. That’s because it’s the mistreated customer who walks out the door in a silent huff who places the most revenue at risk, according to a collaborative study of dysfunctional retail touch-points conducted by LoyaltyOne, Verde Group and Dr. Deborah Small, professor of marketing and psychology, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
HSN launches new cards for select Cornerstone brands

St. Petersburg – HSN Inc. is partnering with the Card Services division of Alliance Data Systems Corp. (ADS) to provide private label credit card services for its Cornerstone business unit. Alliance Data will develop loyalty-driven card programs for five of Cornerstone's seven multichannel brands -- Ballard Designs, Frontgate, Garnet Hill, Grandin Road and Improvements – each incorporating a tailored approach for their unique customer base.