Department Store

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Corp. reported a better-than-expected second-quarter profit amid efforts to control costs. Sales, however, disappointed.

The retailer posted a second-quarter profit of $240 million, down from $299 million in the year-ago period.

Net sales were $4.2 billion, down 1.0% from last year. Same-store sales decreased 2.7% for the quarter.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Sales and earnings were disappointing at Kohl's, but the retailer remains optimistic heading into the fall.

The retailer reported second quarter net income of $240 million, or $1 per diluted share, compared with $299 million, or $1.08 per diluted share, a year ago. Net sales were $4.2 billion, a decrease of 1% for the quarter. Comparable-store sales for the quarter decreased 2.7%.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Kmart is responding to changing trends affecting the "back-to-school" experience with a number initiatives designed to meet the needs of its consumers.

According to Kmart, more public schools are requiring uniforms and others are now adopting a year-round school calendar. In response, Kmart has adjusted its approach to back-to-school by increasing the number of stores that sell uniforms and aligning its back-to-school sales periods by region to match that of the local school districts.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s Department Stores has partnered with Elle magazine to offer a new line of apparel and accessories designed to raise money and awareness for the fight against breast cancer.

Moorestown, N.J. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said that Australian fashion retailer Cotton On will open its first South Jersey location at Moorestown Mall this fall.

The 3,500-sq.-ft. store joins a recently opened Kids Foot Locker; Crazy 8 is scheduled to join the mall this fall.

Moorestown Mall is a 1 million-sq.-ft. enclosed regional shopping mall anchored by Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, Sears and Boscov’s.

New York -- Ralph Lauren Corp. said that its net income rose 5% in its first quarter, but the company forecast a revenue decline in the current quarter and sounded a note of caution about the weak global economy hurting consumer spending.

"The outlook for consumer spending and global economic growth remains challenging and we are planning our business accordingly," said CEO Roger Farah.

Net income from April through June was $193.4 million, up from $184.1 million a year ago.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Dillard's posted an impressive 97% increase in earnings per share for its second quarter ended July 28. Net income for the quarter was $31 million, or 63 cents per diluted share, compared with net income of $17.6 million, or 32 cents per diluted share, for the same period last year.

Net sales for the quarter were $1.5 billion compared with net sales for the prior year period of $1.442 billion. Sales in comparable stores increased 3%.

Chicago -- Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL & Associates Properties said that a completely refreshed AMC Loews 6 Theater opens on Aug. 9 at its Chicago Ridge Mall property, located in Chicago Ridge, Ill.

Following the opening of the newly renovated theatre are store openings over the course of the next several months. Crazy 8, Old Navy, Kids Foot Locker and Wetzel’s Pretzels are slated to open before year end, and a newly remodeled Victoria’s Secret and its new Pink boutique opened recently.