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DOW JONES NEWSWIRES AnnTaylor Stores Corp. (ANN) swung to a fiscal second-quarter profit as the retailer's sales and margins increased, though same-store sales missed company forecasts due to weakness in its Loft brand.

DOW JONES NEWSWIRES Kirkland's Inc.'s (KIRK) fiscal second-quarter profit fell 5.6% following a prior-year tax gain while sales and margin rose.

American Apparel says it could go out of business this year because of poor sales and high debt. The chain’s same-store sales fell 16 percent in the second quarter from a year ago. The chain, which operates 285 stores in 20 countries, has been battered by declining sales, debt problems and other troubles. The retailer employs 10,000 people around the world, 5,000 of them in Los Angeles. Compiled by the staff of Shopping Centers Today. © August 19, 2010 International Council of Shopping Centers.

Foot Locker said late Thursday that net income rose to $6 million in the second quarter, from breakeven in the same period last year. Revenue dipped 0.3% to $1.1 billion while same-store sales rose 2.5%. Foot Locker said excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, second-quarter sales gained 1.3%.Wall Street expected $1.13 billion in revenue.

Hibbett Sports Inc.'s (HIBB) fiscal second-quarter earnings soared, though the increase missed analysts' expectations despite a recovery in same-store sales and growing margins.

Part of J.Crew's recent success in men's apparel is being attributed to collaborations with third-party brands such as Levi's, Warehouse and Red Wing. What is your assessment of J.Crew's men's apparel business? Why do so many retailers struggle in men's fashion? REGISTRATION ONLY TAKES A MINUTE! To read the complete content of this article and participate in the discussion, click the button below and sign up now! Existing subscribers, use the login below. Already registered? Log in here: Handle: Remember my login. Forgot your handle or password? Click here. FREE REGISTRATION... click here. RetailWire is a uniquely informative and

Cost Plus reported Thursday that it lost $7 million in the quarter ended July 31, compared with a loss of $20.8 million in the year-ago period. Revenue for the quarter rose 4.9% to $192.4 million.Same-store sales grew 6.5%, compared with a decrease of 10.9% last year.Cost Plus operates 263 stores in 30 states.

Women's clothing chain The Cato Corp. said late Thursday that its second-quarter net income fell 3.8% as its costs rose.Revenue rose 2.8% to 234.7 million, from $228.3 million.Same-store sales rose 2%.

Music retailer Trans World Entertainment Corp. reported late Thursday that it narrowed its losses in the second quarter to a net loss of $15.8 million, compared with a loss of $17.8 million in the year-ago period. The parent of f.y.e. also reported that sales fell 18% to $135.8 million.

Stage Stores reported Thursday that second-quarter net income rose 13.6% to $10.3 million, compared with net income of $9.1 million a year earlier. The department store chain cited lean inventories for the improvement.The chain also announced Thursday that its board approved a new stock repurchase program.Revenue reached $345 million, up from $341.7 million a year ago.Analysts expected revenue of $352.3 million.