Apparel

London – Natalie Massenet, founder and chairman of U.K.-based online luxury retailer Net-a-Porter, unexpectedly resigned from the company just as it looks to become a global powerhouse.

The former fashion journalist is leaving as Net-a-Porter, which she launched in 2000, prepares to be purchased from Swiss parent company Richemont by Italian e-commerce retailer Yoox. The merger will create the world’s largest luxury e-commerce group.

Nashville, Tenn. – Despite a late back to school season, Genesco Inc.’s profit and revenue beat the Street in the second quarter, helped by the strong performance of its Lids headgear division.

Genesco reported net earnings of $7.52 million, up 60% from $4.69 million the same period a year earlier and beyond Wall Street predictions. Improve pretax earnings, combined with lower income tax expense, perked up profit at Genesco Inc.

Net sales rose 6% to $655.52 million, from $615.47 million.

Fueled in part by increased pharmacy sales, Fred’s reported Thursday that its August sales hit $165.6 million this year, up 12% over August 2014.

Dodgeville, Wis. – The second quarter was nothing short of a fiscal landslide for Lands’ End as the specialty retailer posted its third straight disappointing quarter. Revenue fell 10% and profit was down by more than a third.

“The results that we are sharing today do not represent the true potential of our company,” Federica Marchionni, president and CEO, told analysts during a conference call.

Toronto – Real estate transactions helped Sears Canada swing to a profit in the second quarter even as revenue and same-store sales decreased.

The retailer on Wednesday reported net earnings of $13.5 million, compared to a net loss of $21.3 million the same quarter a year earlier. The company, which has been working to turn around its business, also announced additional cost-cutting plans and real-estate sales.

Fairfax, Va. -- One of the Web’s leading “geek-gear” and collectibles retailer is going offline.

Online retailer ThinkGeek is partnering with its new owner, GameStop, to open a new store format focused entirely on collectibles. The first ThinkGeek store will open in the Florida Mall in Orlando, on Sept. 25, and additional stores are planned.

New market entries, a newly developed small format and ambitious omnichannel efforts have family footwear retailer Shoe Carnival on a trajectory to surpass $1 billion in annual sales.

New York – Macy’s Inc. on Wednesday officially entered one of the industry’s fastest-growing store segments: off-price retail.

The company unveiled its newest banner, Macy’s Backstage, with the opening of three New York City -area stores, with locations in Brooklyn, Queens and Melville (on Long Island).