Direct To Consumer (DTC)

Specialty retailer Brookstone has hired Stephen Bebis as its new president and CEO, effective immediately.

Prior to joining Brookstone, Bebis spent 14 years as founder, president and CEO of Golf Town, the largest specialty golf retailer in Canada. Starting the business from scratch, Bebis grew Golf Town to 57 locations across Canada and led the expansion of the company into the Boston market last year with seven stores.

New York -- American Eagle Outfitters earned a better-than-expected $39.7 million for the quarter ended April 28, compared with $28.3 million in the same period last year.

The company had said earlier first-quarter sales rose 18% to $719 million. Same-store sales were up 17%.

CINCINNATI — Macy's is offering customers in China access to an assortment of its highly regarded private brand merchandise through a Macy's section on Omei.com, a newly established China-based online retailer of in-season luxury and fashion brands operated by VIPStore Co., Ltd.

Cincinnati -- Macy's Inc. will start selling some of its private brand merchandise directly to shoppers in China through a deal with an online retailer there.

The chain said it will the goods through a Macy’s section on Omei.com, a newly established China-based online retailer of in-season luxury and fashion brands operated by VIPStore Co., a Chinese e-commerce firm and parent company of Omei.com

SAN FRANCISCO — Williams-Sonoma's net revenues increased 6.1% to $818 million from $771 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 ended May 1, 2011. Comparable brand revenue increased 5.4%. Diluted earnings per share was 30 cents versus 29 cents in the first quarter of 2011. On a non-GAAP basis, EPS for the quarter increased 13% to 34 cents versus 30 cents in the same period last year.

San Francisco — Williams-Sonoma has appointed former editor-in-chief of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia’s Everyday Food Anna Last as the chain's SVP and executive creative director. Last will oversee all facets of the brand’s expression in the Williams-Sonoma catalog, on Williams-sonoma.com and in the brand’s store environments.

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PITTSBURGH — American Eagle Outfitters is getting out of the children's business, announcing Friday that it is exploring a full or partial sale of 77kids, which includes 22 stores and the online business.

Robert Hanson, CEO of American Eagle Outfitters stated, “Although making this decision is disappointing, it is in the best interest of the company and our shareholders to prioritize and focus our efforts on businesses with the highest return potential. We thank the 77kids team for their hard work, passion and dedication.”