News

NEW YORK — Foot Locker has appointed former PepsiCo human resources executive Paulette Alviti as the company’s SVP and chief human resources officer. 

Alviti has an extensive background in human resources, both domestically and internationally, with experience in organizational capability and training, talent acquisition and development, employee engagement and communications for the corporate office and field organization.

IRVINE, Calif. — Tilly’s comparable store sales for March and April improved over February for the first quarter ended May 4, buoyed partly by the spring break and pre-Easter periods.

The company’s total net sales were $109 million, an increase of 13% from $96,524 for the first quarter ended April 28, 2012. Comparable store sales, which include e-commerce sales, increased 1.1% compared to the first quarter of 2012. E-commerce sales were $12.6 million, an increase of 16% compared to the first quarter of 2012.

ST. LOUIS — Brown Shoe Company Inc. reported a net loss and declining net sales in first quarter 2013 as the company cited the impact of having exited some businesses in the past year.

The retailer experienced a net loss of $10.8 million, compared to net earnings of $1.7 million a year earlier. Net sales declined about 1% to $588.7 million from $598.2 million.

However, Brown Shoe said that taking $10.4 million in net sales from exited brands during the first quarter of last year into account, net sales actually slightly improved this year.

New York -- Tiffany & Co.’s net income rose a better-than-expected 3% to $83.6 million in its first quarter, up from the prior year’s $81.5 million, boosted by sales improvement across all its regions, particularly Asia. Global same-store sales rose 8% during the quarter.

The earnings bump came on a 9% worldwide net sales increase to $895 million. In the Americas region, total sales rose 6% to $408 million. Same-store sales rose 3% with relatively stronger growth in the New York flagship store.

Birmingham, Ala. – Hibbett sports reported a slight dip in net income during first quarter fiscal 2013, although same-store sales and net sales showed some improvement. Net income for the quarter totaled $26.2 million, down slightly from $26.4 million a year earlier. Same-store sales slightly rose 0.8%, while net sales increased 3% from $232.9 million to $240 million. Net income fell short of Wall Street estimates.

Norwalk, Conn. -- GE Capital announced it is administrative agent on a $550 million senior secured credit facility for Lord & Taylor, a leading North American retailer. The proceeds will be used to refinance debt, support ongoing working capital needs and for other corporate purposes.  

GE Capital also provided the company with interest rate risk management products and services.  GE Capital Markets served as joint lead arranger and book runner.
 

At nearly 25,000 sq. ft. and with 40-ft. ceilings, the Topshop flagship at the Grove, an open-air center in Los Angeles, is big and bold, with touches of whimsy evident throughout the space.

The store, which marks the British retailer’s West Coast debut, offers personal shopping and concierge services with private suites and dressing rooms encased by expansive glass walls. It carries the retailer's complete range of product lines including some exclusive to the location. It also houses the Topman brand.

By Dan McKone, [email protected]

More than 12.5 billion catalogs are mailed out to U.S. homes each year. But has their effectiveness waned as more customers head online? Are catalogs reliable money-makers or have they just become an inefficient necessity eating away at your bottom line? The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle.

New Albany, Ohio -- Abercrombie & Fitch shrunk its net loss during the first quarter of 2013 but still reported thin financial results. Net loss for the quarter was $7.2 million, compared to $21.3 million during the first quarter of 2012. The results missed analysts’ estimates.

Net sales dropped 9% from $921.2 million to $838.8 million. Same-store sales plummeted 17%. Direct-to-consumer sales fell 6%. U.S. same-store sales fell 14%; international comparable sales were down 16%.

Canton, Mass. -- Destination XL reported disappointing financial results for the first quarter. The company’s net income fell 56% from $2.3 million in first quarter 2012 to $1 million, while same store sales grew 0.8%. Total sales also declined 2%, from $95.5 million to $93.6 million. Destination XL cited a colder-than-normal spring and a 60% drop in catalog sales as a contributor to declining quarterly performance.