eCommerce

Hong Kong -- Asian-based apparel retailer Esprit reported Thursday a net profit of $71.6 million for the six months ended December, beating Wall Street estimates.

The retailer said it remains on track to close its directly managed stores in North America by end-March 2012 and will continue to look for a licensing partner.

Phoenix -- Cole Real Estate Investments announced that it signed leases totaling nearly 640,000 sq. ft. at Cole-related retail properties during 2011.

Cole secured approximately 308,000 sq. ft. of new leases, along with 330,000 sq. ft. of renewals, bringing the occupancy rate for its portfolio of properties to 97.8%.

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc. has named Jill Stanton to the newly-created role as creative advisor for Old Navy and Liz Meltzer as SVP Gap international merchandising.

“Boosting our already-strong creative talent is a key focus in 2012,” said Glenn Murphy, chairman and CEO of Gap Inc. “On the heels of Tracy Gardner coming back to Gap, we are thrilled that Jill Stanton will bring her talent and proven business experience as creative advisor to Old Navy to help us deliver consistently great product.”

Little Rock, Ark. -- Dillard’s Inc. reported Thursday that profit for the fourth quarter rose to $141.5 million from $109.6 million a year earlier, beating analysts’ expectations.

Sales edged up 2% to $1097 billion. Same-store sales rose 3%.
 

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Corp. reported Thursday that profit for the fourth quarter dropped 7.9% to $455 million, from $494 million a year earlier, as the retailer experienced unexpected revenue declines during the holiday selling period.

Kohl's reported that total sales dipped 0.3% to $6.02 billion in the period, and same-store sales dropped 2.1%. It was the chain’s first revenue decline in three years

Columbus, Ohio -- Limited Brands reported Wednesday that fourth quarter profit dropped 21% to $359.4 million, from $452.3 million in the year-ago period.

The parent to Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works and Henri Bendel was negatively impacted by a large restructuring charge for an asset write-down and closures of some of its La Senza lingerie stores. Last quarter’s profit decrease breaks a streak of four consecutive quarters of year-over-year profit increases.

Nashville, Tenn. -- X Team International announced that Nashville-based partner Baker Storey McDonald Properties has acquired two shopping centers located in Kentucky and Ohio.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Following a substantial decline in net income for its fourth quarter, OfficeMax is keeping costs in mind by reducing its retail store count in the upcoming year.

For the next fiscal year, the company said it plans a net reduction in retail store count with up to 35 store closures and one to two store openings in the United States, as well as eight to nine store openings and one to two store closures in Mexico.