Direct To Consumer (DTC)

Indianapolis – The Finish Line Inc. reported net income of $42.75 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, up 28% from $33.47 million in the year-ago period.

Net sales grew 17% to $518.87 million from $442.68 million and same-store sales rose 6.3%. Finish Line credited its omni-channel strategy, among other factors, as driving its impressive quarterly performance.

Columbus, Ohio – Lane Bryant opens two new stores in Marlton, N.J., and Odessa, Texas on March 28. The New Jersey store is located at Willow Bridge Plaza and the Texas store is located at Chimney Rock.

Lane Bryant operates 775 stores nationwide and also operates an e-commerce site.

New York -- Robert Graham has signed a new lease agreement to open a branded retail store featuring the full Robert Graham collection in NorthPark Center in Dallas. The store will carry the complete range of Robert Graham, including men's sportswear, premium denim, furnishings, accessories, outerwear, newly launched footwear collection and women's sportswear.

NorthPark Center features a unique backdrop of art, architecture and landscaping for the enjoyment of its discerning customers. The Robert Graham store will open in late Spring 2014.

eBay Enterprise plans to open a new fulfillment center in Ontario, Canada, in second quarter 2014. The new 150,000-sq.-ft. facility will support client growth, including The Children’s Place, which recently signed a new multi-year agreement with the company.

New York -- Swedish fast-fashion retailer H&M said on Thursday it will debut two of its newer retail formats, COS and & Other Stories, in the United States this year.

H&M will open its first COS U.S. location this April in New York City’s SoHo area. A second U.S. store will open later this year, in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The retailer’s & Other Stories banner will make its U.S. debut this fall, opening a store in downtown Manhattan.

Maurices is marking a major milestone. The retailer, which started small in downtown Duluth, Minn., has opened its 900th store in Fresno, Calif.

And the retailer is not stopping there. Plans are in place to open 60 additional stores for a total of more than 925 stores in 46 states and Canada by July. Maurices is also remodeling or expanding 80 stores this year to keep the chain fresh.

The company's long-term goal is to reach more than 1,200 stores domestically and 100 stores in Canada.

Francesca’s sales results for the fourth quarter were below its revised guidance, thanks in part to extreme weather conditions, which forced the company to fully or partially close 370 boutiques during January.

Duluth, Minn. -- Ascena Retail Group, parent to the Maurices, DressBarn and Lane Bryant banners, announced the 900th Maurices store opening. The Fresno, Calif., store will officially open later this month, joining 899 other stores in the U.S. and Canada.

Maurices will open 60 new stores by the end of its fiscal year in July 2014. In addition to new store openings, Maurices is remodeling or expanding 80 stores this year.  

The company's long-term goal is to reach over 1,200 stores domestically and 100 stores in Canada.