Department Store

The nation’s leading specialty retailer of children’s apparel issued a dour outlook for the first quarter of 2013 after a strong finish to 2012.

The company said sales for the 14 week fourth quarter increased 11.3% to $509.2 million and same store sales increased 4.3%. Earning per share increased 32% to $1.15, 11 cents better than analysts forecast.

Best Buy, Costco, Petco and four other retailers were among a group of 145 companies identified as the World’s Most Ethical companies by Ethisphere.

New York -- Kleinfeld Bridal, the iconic New York bridal retailer and star of the hit reality show “Say Yes to the Dress,” will open a 20,000-sq.-ft. salon in Hudson’s Bay’s flagship location in downtown Toronto in early 2014. The Hudson’s Bay Company has exclusive rights to the brand in Canada.

New York -- Saks Fifth Avenue announced Monday that John Cruz has been named SVP and director of the New York City flagship store, effective April 29.

Cruz currently serves as VP and general manager of the company’s Beverly Hills store. He has worked at the NYC store before – as general manager 2005-2007 and VP and GM 2007-2010.

Cruz replaces Suzanne Stemper-Johnson, who is leaving Saks to pursue other interests.

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. -- Mid-America Asset Management said it has signed three furniture/home décor stores to retail locations in Chicago’s suburbs of Oak Brook and McHenry as well as downstate in Bloomington, Ill.

Ashley Furniture signed a lease for 31,573 sq. ft. at Colonial Plaza in Bloomington, Ill., with plans to open in spring 2013. Ashley Furniture will co-anchor the 236,460-sq.-ft. center along with Kmart and OfficeMax.

Boulder, Col. -- More consumers are trying new fashion retailers this year compared to last year – and most are buying when they do. H&M is the retailer that consumers reported visiting for the first time most often, followed by Kohl’s, Macy’s, Abercrombie & Fitch and Forever 21.

Suffern, N.Y. -- Ascena Retail Group, parent to the Lane Bryant, Maurices and Dressbarn banners among others, said Monday it has named Erin Stern EVP and chief merchandising officer of its Maurices brand, effective April 15.

Stern spent the majority of her career at Gap in the Old Navy division, and also served as chief merchant for Juicy Couture and president of Bebe Sport.

BOULDER, Col. — H&M is the fashion retailer that consumers reported visiting for the first time most often, followed by Kohl’s, Macy’s, Abercrombie & Fitch and Forever 21.

That’s according to a survey of 4,000 consumers by Market Force Information, a global customer intelligence solutions company, which found that 39% had tried a new retailer in the past three months, an increase from 32% in 2011 and 14% in 2010.