Direct To Consumer (DTC)

Fort Myers, Fla. -- Chico’s FAS reported an 18.4% decline in second quarter net profit, after increased promotional activity took a toll on same-store sales. 

Chico’s net income totaled $43.6 million from $53.4 million in the year-ago period.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Chico's FAS’s financial results for the second quarter ended Aug. 3 were affected by a lower transaction count and average dollar sales, primarily because of lower traffic and the cycling of strong comparable sales last year.

The company reported net income of $43.6 million for the quarter — a decrease of 18.4% compared to $53.4 million in the year-ago quarter, and earnings per diluted share of $0.27, a decrease of 15.6% compared to $0.32 per diluted share in the year-ago quarter.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -- The Wet Seal Inc. swung to a profit in the second quarter, reporting net income of $1 million, compared to a net loss of $12.4 million a year earlier. The retailer also announced it is introducing its Wet Seal Plus Collection, previously available only online, to 36 stores, on Aug. 30.

In addition, net sales totaled $137.2 million, up about 1% from $135.3 million in the second quarter of 2012. Same store sales grew 3.7%, while e-commerce sales remained flat. Overall results were in line with Zack’s consensus estimates.

SAN FRANCISCO — Specialty home products retailer Williams-Sonoma is reaping the rewards of a rebounding housing market this second quarter ended Aug. 4.

The company’s net revenues grew 12.3% to $982 million versus $874 million in the year-ago quarter with comparable brand revenue growth of 8.4%, on top of 7.4% in the year-ago quarter.

NEW YORK — Multichannel retailer Delia’s, which markets primarily to teen girls, continues facing challenges in traffic trends as it wrapped up the second quarter ended Aug. 3 with total revenue of $33.2 million, a 16.7% drop from $39.8 million in the year-ago quarter.

In retail, as in life, experience is everything. Whether it’s online, on a smartphone or in the store, it really doesn’t make a difference. A bad experience will turn off customers, while a good one will build brand advocates. It’s always been like that, of course. But today’s technology-enabled shoppers have changed the rules of the game by upping the stakes considerably.

Whatever happened to the customer? It’s a question I’ve been asking myself more and more lately, and one that more than a few national brands should be working harder to answer. At a time when retail is evolving in exciting ways, one of the most disappointing trends over the last several years is a conspicuous (and costly) lack of focus on the customer.

San Francisco -- A resurgent Gap Inc. reported that its second quarter profit jumped 25% on strong sales of denim and other goods at its namesake and Old Navy brands. And bucking a trend set by other retailers, the company raised its full-year earnings guidance. Gap also detailed upcoming expansion plans.