Department Store

COLUMBUS, Ohio — DSW's model of bringing designer goods to a budget-conscious consumer continues to pay off, as the company posted sales and earnings growth for its second quarter. DSW Inc. reported that net sales for the second quarter increased 4.7% to $476.3 million from $415.1 million in the second quarter of 2010. Comparable sales for the second quarter increased 12.3%. 

Reported net income was $139.9 million, or $3.96 per diluted share. This compares with reported net income of $26.9 million, or $1.00 per diluted share.

It is hard to overstate the significance of Target’s entry into Canada in terms of the impact it will have on the company’s growth and the marketplace overall. You would have to go back to 1992 and Walmart’s acquisition of 122 Woolco stores to find an event of similar magnitude, and even that deal comes up short compared with Target’s plans to open as many as 150 stores beginning in early 2013.

New York City -- Many New Yorkers remain at home on Monday, as Irene -- though not the monster it first appeared to be -- left widespread flooding and power outages in its weekend wake.

America is on sale for foreign tourists thanks to the weak U.S. dollar, and it has been a boon for retailers who operate stores in key destinations. Nowhere was this phenomenon more evident than last week when Tiffany & Co. reported spectacular second quarter results that were aided by a 41% sales increase at its flagship New York store. That location is frequented by tourists, and so is the Saks flagship New York location, which reported a second quarter comp increase in the neighborhood of 15%.

Seattle -- Nordstrom announced it is now offering free standard shipping and returns from Nordstrom.com -- every day, for online orders of every size. The company said it is broadening its online free shipping and returns policy to all customers in an effort to improve the online shopping experience.

Previously, Nordstrom offered free shipping for online purchases above $200 or through special promotional offers. The new policy applies to Nordstrom.com orders shipped within the United States regardless of the amount or size of the orders.

Target failed to crack a ranking of the top 10 most effective back-to-school ads compiled by Ace Metrix that was dominated by retail competitors and technology companies.

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Frederick's of Hollywood Group has announced that the company and Linda LoRe have mutually agreed that, effective Sept. 2, LoRe will resign both as president and as a member of the board of directors of the company and its subsidiaries.  She will continue her employment through Jan. 20, 2012, and will assist in the orderly transition of her responsibilities to senior members of the company's current management team.

On Thursday, Sept. 8, The Shoppes at The Palazzo and The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian, in partnership with The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas, will host an only-in-Vegas Fashion’s Night Out event.

Celebrity power couple Giuliana and Bill Rancic will guide guests through the season’s most talked-about fashion tips and trends; the festivities kick-off at 6 p.m. on level two of The Shoppes at The Palazzo near Chloè and Piazza Sempione.