Department Store

Bronx, N.Y. -- New Rochelle, N.Y.-based Welco Realty Inc., an X Team partner, announced that Daffy’s opened its first store in Bronx, N.Y.  

The retailer opened a store in Bay Plaza Shopping Center, one of the largest strip shopping centers in New York City. Welco Realty negotiated the deal on behalf of the landlord, Prestige Properties & Development Co.  

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.

San Francisco -- Gap reported Thursday that its first-quarter earnings plummeted 23% as costs rose faster than expected, and the chain dramatically lowered its full-year earnings forecast.

Gap is spending about 20% more to produce each item than it did a year ago -- a much faster rise than it expected, the Associated Press reported.

Gap’s net income was $233 million for the quarter ended April 30, compared with $302 million. The performance was slightly better than analysts expected, however.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holding Corp. reported Thursday that it recorded a bigger-than-expected loss in the first quarter as its shoppers cut back on spending. The chain said it lost $170 million, compared with net income of $16 million in the year-ago period.

The retailer had cautioned earlier in May that it expected a first-quarter loss due mainly to a drop in appliance, clothing and consumer electronic sales.

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.

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.
 

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings reported a first-quarter net loss of $170 million, or $1.58 per diluted share, in line with the company's expectations for a net loss in the range of $145 million and $195 million, or between $1.35 and $1.81 per diluted share. The company reported net income of $16 million, or 14 cents per diluted share, in 2010.

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.