Department Store

New York City -- New York & Co. reported Thursday a loss of $3.7 million in the first quarter, compared with a loss of $4.9 million a year ago.

Sales rose to $239.4 million from $237 million. Same-store sales increased 2.5%.

The company said it expects to close eight stores and remodel six existing locations, ending the second quarter of fiscal year 2011 with 545 stores, including 24 outlet stores.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -- The Wet Seal reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended April 30 rose to $8 million, compared with $3.1 million a year earlier.

Revenue rose to $156 million from $137.8 million. Same-store sales increased 7%.

Wet Seal said it expects eight net new store openings in 2011, with six net openings at Wet Seal and two at Arden B.
 

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. announced Thursday that it will up its participation in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program to 400 stores by the end of 2013. Energy Star certification is awarded to buildings that rank within the top 25% of similar commercial buildings nationwide by meeting strict energy performance levels set by the EPA.

J.C. Penney has a companywide goal to reduce facility energy use 20% by 2015.

Canton, Mass. -- Casual Male Retail Group reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended April 30 edged up 1% to $4.2 million.

Revenue increased 1% to $95.8 million from $95 million, missing Wall Street's estimate of $97.4 million. Same-store sales rose 2.2%.

Fort Worth, Texas -- New York City-based Centro Properties Group said that fashion accessory retailer Charming Charlie will open a new store in Fort Worth, Texas.

The new 8,878-sq.-ft. store will open at the Centro-owned Trinity Commons shopping center.
 

Voorhees, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust announced that Just Sports Collectibles has opened at Voorhees Town Center, in Voorhees, N.J.

The new store is the retailer’s second location – its first in a mall – and features more square footage and an expanded product line.

New York City -- A report released Thursday by the Real Estate Board of New York showed that some of New York City’s primary shopping corridors are seeing increases in asking rents for available retail space, while others are seeing rents plateau.

New York City -- Big Lots has decided not to sell itself after bids from private equity firms came in below the company's expectations, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The chain reportedly had received interest from several buyout firms earlier this year, following which it decided to explore a sale. Two groups of private-equity firms — Bain Capital and TPG Capital, and Thomas H. Lee Partners and Advent International — had put in final bids, but they were below Big Lots expectations, the report said.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores said Thursday that profit for the quarter ended April 30 surged 22% to $173 million, compared with $142.3 million a year earlier.

Sales increased 7% to $2.1 billion, and same-store sales rose 3% on top of a 10% gain in 2010.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart reported Thursday that net income for the first quarter rose to $15.9 million from $14.3 million in 2010.

Sales edged up 0.8% to $303.5 million, and same-store sales increased 1.5%.

The retailer said it is increasing its plan for capital expenditure in 2011 by $5 million to a range of $30 to $35 million. Stein Mart said the increased spending is for POS hardware in all stores toward increasing operational efficiency.