Retail

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.

Westlake, Ohio – Rising fuel gross margins and a non-recurring litigation settlement helped Travel Centers of America Inc. (TA) roughly triple its net income to $34.34 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, from $11.97 million in the fourth quarter of the previous fiscal year. Revenues dipped 9% to $1.72 billion, from $1.9 billion.

Savannah, Ga. -- Citi Trends Inc. on Friday announced a change in leadership as its reported fourth quarter results that topped forecasts. The urban apparel retailer said that Ed Anderson is retiring as CEO, effective March 21, with Jason Mazzola, currently executive VP and chief merchandising officer, becoming president CEO effective March 22, and being appointed to the board of directors, effective immediately.

Additionally, Bruce Smith, executive VP and CFO, will also become its COO.

New Orleans - Magnolia Marketplace, a 106,000-sq.-ft. shopping center located in New Orleans’ Central City neighborhood, opened Friday, March 13. The project, overseen by JCH Development and Stirling Properties, was 100% pre-leased prior to the January 2014 groundbreaking.

Virginia Beach, Va. -- DSW Shoe Warehouse will open a new store at Pembroke Mall in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The retailer will be taking 15,040 sq. ft. of an existing Sears store.

The lease negotiations were handled on behalf of the tenant by Divaris Real Estate, Inc.

DSW will open fourth quarter 2015 and will be joined by Nordstrom Rack and REI in 2016.
 
 

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.

St. Clairsville, Ohio -- Ulta Beauty and Sincerely Yogurt will both open at Ohio Valley Mall this year. Sincerely Yogurt will debut first, opening a 1,275-sq.-ft. location late spring 2015. Ulta Beauty will open a 9,700-sq.-ft. store near Sears by early fall.  The construction of the new Ulta will introduce a new, exterior doorway providing direct access from the mall parking area.

Owned by Cafaro Company, the recently renovated Ohio Valley Mall is located on I-70, Exit 218-Mall Road, in St. Clairsville, Ohio.  
 

New York -- Hibbett Sports is on track to open at least 80 new stores in 2015 as strong holiday sales and early tax refunds gave the retailer a boost in the January quarter.

The company posted quarterly earnings of $19.9 million, compared to $16.9 million, in the year-ago period. EPS surged to $0.79 from $0.64. Its sales gained 9.9% to $239.3 million. Same store sales rose 5.4% in the quarter.