News

New York -- Christopher Finazzo, former executive VP and chief merchandising officer for Aeropostale, has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of defrauding the company and taking more than $25 million in kickbacks from a key vendor.

Finazzo, who was found guilty in April 2013 of 14 counts of mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy, was also ordered to forfeit more than $25 million and pay the company $13.7 million in restitution.

Dollar Tree delivered its 26th consecutive quarter of positive comparable store sales growth in the second quarter, but profit declined 2.6% thanks to increased freight costs and investments in higher-value products.

Consolidated comparable store sales increased 4.5% on a constant currency basis. Adjusted for the impact of Canadian currency fluctuations, the comparable store sales increase was 4.4%. Consolidated net sales increased 9.5% to $2.03 billion from $1.85 billion in the prior year’s second quarter.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart Inc. reported net income of $1.7 million for the second quarter, reduced from $3.4 million last year on higher healthcare costs.

Total sales increased 2.5% to $298.2 million, while same-store sales increased 1.3%, the retailer’s ninth consecutive quarter of comparable store sales gains.

Fans of rapper Wiz Khalifa’s line of Converse shoes will have more to choose from this fall.
 
The shoemaker announced that it would unveil a collection of shoes inspired and designed by the rapper for the upcoming season. The new line is Kahlifa’s second collaboration with Converse, and will feature a new twist on the classic Chuck Taylor shoe — the All Star ILL.
 

Houston -- Stage Stores, Inc. reported net income of $11.2 million for the second quarter, compared with $9.6 million last year.

Total sales were $377 million. Same-store sales decreased 4.2%.

“We found the second quarter to be challenging, but we were encouraged that our sales trend improved towards the end of the quarter,” said Michael Glazer, CEO. “We expect improved second half results given our sales driving initiatives.”

Jif is rolling out two new varieties of its new Jif To Go Dippers with a social media contest. To promote the new product, which pairs two varieties of peanut butter comes in two varieties—chocolate peanut butter with chocolate flavored spread, and creamy peanut butter — with pretzels, the company has launched the #GetGoing photo promotion.

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit and sales and raised its full-year profit forecast, helped by strong sales at Old Navy.

Net profit rose to $332 million in the second quarter ended Aug. 2, from $303 million a year ago.

Four years after it opened its first location in New York City, teen and pre-teen bargain retailer Five Below is set to open its first location in Brooklyn at the borough’s Gateway Center Aug. 29. The 7,500-sq.-ft. store will feature all of the company’s merchandise, all priced at or below $5.