eCommerce

After five consecutive quarters of declining same-store sales, teen retailer the Buckle may be coming out of its slump.

The Nebraska-based company reported net sales of $353.5 million, 4.3% higher than the year-ago quarter. Same store sales grew 1.1%. Net income rose by about 1.3% to $60.1 million, producing earnings of $1.25 per share, ahead of analysts’ estimates.

Ann Inc. is blaming its huge fourth-quarter profit loss on expenses related to deep discounts and the West Coast ports dispute.

For the quarter ended Feb. 1, net earnings at Ann Inc. came in at $262,000, or 1 cent a share, compared with $4.7 million, or 10 cents a share, in the same period a year ago. Total sales rose to $647.4 million from $623.3 million, beating the analysts’ estimates of $627 million. Same-store sales rose 1%, with Ann Taylor brand sales declining 0.4% and Loft brand sales rising 1.9%.

Kroger executive Kathleen “Katy” Barclay and former Coach executive Catherine “Kate” Buggeln are the newest member of the Five Below board of directors.

Despite similarities in name, Katy Barclay and Kate Buggeln bring different strengths to the rapidly growing teen and tween retailer’s board. Barclay has more than 35 years of experience in the human resources field and currently serves as senior vice president of human resources at Kroger.

New York -- Kroger executive Kathleen “Katy” Barclay and former Coach executive Catherine “Kate” Buggeln have joined the board of directors of Five Below. The two executives bring different strengths to the rapidly growing teen and tween retailer’s board. Barclay has more than 35 years of experience in the human resources field and currently serves as senior VP of human resources at Kroger.

New York -- After five consecutive quarters of declining same-store sales, teen retailer the Buckle may be coming out of its slump.

The Nebraska-based company reported net sales of $353.5 million, 4.3% higher than the year-ago quarter. Same store sales grew 1.1%. Net income rose by about 1.3% to $60.1 million, producing earnings of $1.25 per share, ahead of analysts’ estimates.

Washington, D.C. – The long winter chill put a damper on consumer spending and retail sales in February. According to data from the National Retail Federation (NRF), excluding automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants, retail sales declined 0.2% seasonally-adjusted month-to-month, yet were up 3% on an unadjusted year-over-year basis.

Additional findings from NRF’s monthly retail sales analysis found that:

Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers:
• -2.3% month-to-month

New York -- Aeropostale Inc. decreased its loss in the fourth quarter, and reported its first adjusted operating profit in its last eight quarters. But the struggling teen apparel retailer said it is considering potentially closing approximately 50 to 75 Aeropostale stores and one P.S. Store in 2015.

Aeropostale's net loss narrowed to $13.5 million in the fourth quarter ended Jan. 31, down from $70.3 million a year earlier.

Net sales fell 11.3% to $593.8 million. Comparable sales declined 9%.

Unusual trading activity in shares of RadioShack prompted the company to issue a public statement reminding speculators the company’s shares are soon likely to be worthless.

Bankrupt companies don’t normally issue such warnings, but the move was prompted by trading in the company’s shares on the OTC Pink exchange under the symbol RSHCQ after the company was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange.