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NEW YORK -- Chico's FAS Inc. said Wednesday its second-quarter profit rose to $30.5 million, or 17 cents a share, from $14.9 million, or 8 cents a share, in the year-ago period. The Fort Myers, Fla., retailer said sales grew 10.8% to $465 million from $419.9 million. Analysts polled by FactSet Research had expected earnings of 16 cents a share, on average, with sales of $465.8 million. Chico's recently announced a stock buyback program of up to $200 million. Shares of Chico's rose about 1% premarket to $8.50. Copyright © 2010 MarketWatch, Inc.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Target Corp posted higher quarterly earnings, helped by sales of more profitable items like clothing and improved profit at its credit card business. The discounter said profit rose to $679 million, or 92 cents a share, in the second quarter ended July 31 from $594 million, or 79 cents a share, a year earlier. Analysts on average had forecast 92 cents a share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Earlier this month, Target reported sales of $15.13 million for the quarter at its retail business, up 3.8 percent

Finish Line said Tuesday it named chief merchandising officer Samuel M. Sato to the additional role of president of the athletic goods retailer. Sato has been with the company since 2007, coming from a 22-year career with Nordstrom.In his new position, Sato will add responsibility for Finish Line's online business to his merchandising and marketing duties. Don Courtney, who has led the online division since August 2009, will continue to serve as its president.The company said president and COO Steve Schneider will continue in his current roles, overseeing store operations, real estate and information systems."As I take on the

Adidas, with the opening of an online store on China's Taobao Mall site, is making its first official foray into the country's e-commerce segment. The e-retail site is selling more than 200 Adidas items, and intends to eventually expand the offerings to 800 products.

Target has come up with a promising comeback plan. Two bold initiatives now under way — rolling out fresh groceries in more of its stores and, starting this fall, offering 5 percent discounts on nearly all purchases made with Target REDcards — should help a lot.

While the U.S. Postal Service targets post office locations for closure and awaits approval of its plan to drop Saturday mail delivery, it it has struck its first deal with a national retailer. USPS services like Priority Mail and Express Mail are now available at nearly 1,100 Office Depot stores across the country, as it seeks retail partnerships. The deal makes Office Depot the first national retailer to offer Postal Service shipping products and services. "The partnership with Office Depot is one more example of how the Postal Service is adjusting its products and services to better fir the

Limited Brands Inc. (LTD) posted second-quarter earnings that beat Wall Street’s estimates, and it boosted full-year and third-quarter views. The retail chain raised its full-year earnings guidance to a range of $1.68 to $1.83 a share, up from its previous view for earnings between $1.60 and $1.80 a share. The new guidance is in-line with expectations; the Street is expecting full-year earnings of $1.81 a share. The parent for retail franchises such as Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works predicted August earnings in the range of 3 to 8 cents a share,

Piperlime has raised the ire of some of its Facebook fans with a series of cheeky — or "snotty," according to detractors — wall posts last week. The Gap brand began posting updates on Facebook and Twitter such as "Every time you wear sweatpants in public, a single guy leaves New York" and "Let's put Saturday-night effort into Sunday afternoon." While some fans found the posts entertaining, even applauding Piperlime for attacking sweatpants, others were enraged.

Best Buy is introducing a location-based retail experiment that examines the way in-store shoppers redeem offers and rewards via their mobile device. Consumers who walk in a Best Buy store will receive offers via the shopkick iPhone application. The experiment will take place in 257 United States stores.

Saks said Tuesday that it narrowed its loss for the quarter ended July 31 to $32.2 million, compared with a loss of $54.5 million a year earlier. Revenue rose 5% to $593.1 million, beating analysts’ expectations of� revenue of $585.2 million.The department store retailer cited fading promotions for the narrowed loss, as it was able to sell more products at full-price.Saks also announced Tuesday that it plans to close its Saks Fifth Avenue store in Plano, Texas, next week and one in Mission Viejo, Calif., in October.