eCommerce

New York – As a result of slumping net and same-store sales, Aeropostale is forecasting a net loss per share of between 42 cents and 44 cents during the second fiscal quarter of this year, which is 19 cents higher than the previously issued guidance. The revised estimate is based on a 6% decrease in net sales to $454 million, from $485.3 million in the year ago period.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $7.87 billion for the month of July, the four weeks ended August 4, an increase of 7% from $7.36 billion during the similar period last year.

For the 48 weeks ended August 4, the company reported net sales of $94.91 billion, an increase of 8% from $87.7 billion during the similar period last year.

By Ted Vaughan, [email protected]

The year 2012 was the best year for retail IPOs since 2002 — S&P Capital IQ reported seven offerings for the year — and when we released our 2013 IPO Outlook Study earlier this year, 30% of capital markets executives expected initial public offerings (IPOs) in the retail and consumer products space to continue to grow in 2013. Now that we’re well into the second half of the year, how have those expectations fared?

New York – Law firm Morgan & Morgan is investigating potential legal claims against the board of directors of Saks Inc. relating to the proposed acquisition of Saks by Hudson's Bay Company. Morgan & Morgan's investigation concerns whether Saks' board of directors breached its fiduciary duties to act in the best interests of Saks' shareholders and to take all necessary steps to ensure that Saks' shareholders receive the maximum value readily available for their shares of Saks common stock.

New York – Despite a slowdown in U.S. retail and consumer merger & acquisition (M&A) activity in second quarter 2013, consumer sentiment and retail sales trends remain positive, along with strong corporate balance sheets and availability of private equity "dry powder," which should help trigger M&A activity during the second half of 2013, according to PwC's U.S. retail and consumer deals insights second quarter 2013 report.

New York  — New Street Realty Advisors has announced two recent transactions:

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Insite Software, a leading provider of B2B e-commerce platforms and shipping solutions, has appointed David Ricketts as its SVP of sales.

Ricketts has more than 15 years of experience in software sales management, working with retailers, wholesalers, manufactures, distributors and consumer packaged goods companies to expand sales revenues via B2B and B2C e-commerce, omnichannel commerce and mobile, social and tablet commerce.

Webster, Texas -- Seattle-based Nordstrom will add a new Nordstrom Rack location in the Houston area, opening a 31,000-sq.-ft. store in spring 2015 at Baybrook Square in Webster, Texas.

The Baybrook Square Rack will be the fourth Houston-area off-price store for Nordstrom. In July the company announced plans to open a third Rack location at Willowbrook Mall in fall 2014.

The new Nordstrom Rack will move into a space currently occupied by DSW, which is relocating within the center. Baybrook Square is managed by Fidelis Realty Partners.