Department Store

After a 15% fourth-quarter same-store sales decline, Aeropostale is looking to accelerate the pace of previously announced store closures, further reduce an already limited store expansion program and has secured new financial flexibility from a private equity firm.

New York -- Aeropostale on Thursday announced it has signed an agreement with private equity firm Sycamore Partners for $150 million in financing and a strategic partnership. The teen retailer also reported its fifth straight quarterly loss amid a 15% decline in same-store sales, and announced it will close 50 stores in 2014.

Sycamore will provide Aeropostale with a five-year $100 million term loan facility, and a ten-year $50 million term loan facility that includes a sourcing arrangement with MGF Sourcing, an affiliate of Sycamore.

Not many retailers can say they were very pleased with exceptional results during a compressed holiday season and challenging fourth quarter, but Steinmart did.

Same-store sales increased 3.1% for the fourth quarter ended Feb. 1, while total sales for the 13-week period declined to $360.8 million from $368.6 million because the fourth quarter the prior year included an extra week, which added sales of $15.8 million to the prior-year period.

Washington, D.C. – Lingering bad weather in much of the country did not keep consumers from shopping during February 2014. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), February 2014 retail sales, which exclude automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, increased 0.2% adjusted month-to-month and 2.3% unadjusted year-over-year.

Genesco chairman, president and CEO Robert J. Dennis said that the company’s overall fourth-quarter results were lower than expected, thanks to inconsistent sales patterns and severe winter storms that affected its key markets.

All is not grim, however, as the company is making investments to bolster its omnichannel capabilities, which Dennis expects will protect near-term profitability and allow the company to expand its retail footprint.

Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation (NRF) is publicly opposing any change in current regulations regarding overtime pay. In a prepared statement issued in response to reports that President Obama will propose a change in federal overtime rules, David French, senior VP for government relations for the NRF, said current overtime rules have been in effect for 10 years and are working.

San Francisco -- Williams-Sonoma reported a better-than-expected profit of $133.8 million in the fourth quarter, up slightly from $133.7 million in the year-ago period. The company also announced it is lifting its dividend 2 cents, or 6%, to 33 cents a share.