News

DALLAS — While Zale Corp. posted a nearly 10% comps increase for its fourth quarter, higher commodity costs lead to a wider net loss for the period. The company stands to gain even more in the way of sales, with additional financing options for its customers.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway announced that it will donate $20,000 to "America's Most Natural City" to help maintain its park facilities. In addition, the winning city will be awarded with 25 picnic tables, sectioned off from the 305-foot Douglas Fir table that recently broke the Guinness World Record for the World's Longest Picnic Table, which was built in celebration of Safeway's Open Nature, a new 100% natural line of high-quality foods, Safeway reported.

Nashville, Tenn. – Genesco, parent to the Journeys, Lids and Johnston & Murphy banners, reported Wednesday a loss of $392,000 for the quarter ended July 31, compared with a loss of $3.2 million in the year-ago period.

Sales rose 29% to $471 million, from $364 million. Same-store sales surged 14%, with the Lids Sports Group up 12%, the Journeys Group up 15%, the Johnston & Murphy Group up 17%, and the Underground Station Group up 10%.

The company said it is raising its fiscal 2012 guidance, based on the performance.

Hampstead, Md. -- JoS. A. Bank Clothiers reported Wednesday that net income for the second quarter surged 24.7% to $20.6 million, compared with $16.5 million in the year-ago period.

Sales rose 22.4% to $230.7 million from $188.4 million. Same-store sales increased 14.7%.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart announced that Roger Mason, Jr. of the New York Nets and Deion Branch of the New England Patriots will be featured in the company's social campaign for Protege, the company's exclusive footwear and apparel collection.

NEW YORK — Payless announced that it has expanded its partnership with designer Christian Siriano. His expanded collection will arrive Sept. 7 in 2,400 Payless stores across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and Payless.com.

This seasonal collection features a range of modern looks for everyday styling with an assortment of shoes and handbags offered at more moderate, accessible prices starting at $23 an item. 

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie Stores said Monday that its fourth-quarter net income fell 48% amid tough competition. The chain attributed the drop to the quarter being a week shorter this year than it was last year.

Winn-Dixie's net income for the quarter that ended June 29 was $7.3 million versus $14 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue fell 4% to $1.62 billion from $1.68 billion last year. Same-store sales rose 3.2%. Although average amount customers spent per visit rose 3.9%, 0.7% fewer shoppers came in, the company said.

It’s been one extreme or another the past few weeks in the retail world. First, luxury retailers Tiffany and Saks reported strong sales and profits and then on Tuesday Dollar General results showed the low-end consumers have some spending power and a taste for its brand of discount retail.