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(Updates throughout.) NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Teen retailer American Eagle Outfitters Inc.

Zale Corp. has named Becky Mick as its SVP, chief stores officer. Mick, who joined the company in 1998, had been VP.The retailer has been working with adviser Peter J. Solomon Co. on ways to improve its cash situation, including a possible sale of all or part of the company.Zale reported a smaller net loss in its most recent fiscal third quarter, helped by a tax benefit and the company's efforts to cut costs and sell more items at full price.

Retail sales fell in June for the second straight month, more evidence that the recovery will slow in the second half of the year. Spending on retail goods dropped 0.5 percent in June, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. That followed a 1.1 percent fall in May. Excluding autos, spending was down 0.1 percent in June. Pulling down the overall June figures was a drop in auto sales and declining gas prices. When taking those out, sales would have risen 0.1 percent for the month.

Victoria's Secret� plans to offer a select number of costume items for Halloween this fall, according to The Columbus Dispatch.Officials at Columbus-based Limited Brands, the parent company of Victoria's Secret,� confirmed that the merchandise is planned and will be available in its stores as well as through its website and catalogs, the report said.

Retail sales fell in June for the second straight month, more evidence that the recovery will slow in the second half of the year. Retail - Business - United States - Retail Trade - Consulting

Zumiez Inc. said Tuesday it won't be buying Canadian retailer West 49 Inc., saying it has not been able to reach an agreement over the due diligence process.The move comes less than a week after West 49 issued a news release saying Zumiez was prepared to make an offer, subject to a satisfactory due diligence review.

"Christmas in July" promotions are not a new retail concept, but stores and malls appear to be kicking it up a notch this year in order to spur sales in an otherwise sluggish time of the year. Retailers and mall operators are turning to "Christmas in July" events to provide an opportunity to offer sales that are "not simply a price promotion." Instead, these sales become more of a social event.

EBags.com has named Chris Wilson as its new chief marketing officer. Wilson, most recently L.L.  - More - 

J. Crew Group Inc. on Tuesday said its president of retail and direct channels has resigned in order to spend more time with her family. Tracy Gardner will leave the company Sept. 13.Millard Drexler, chairman and CEO of J.Crew, stated, "I am sorry about Tracy's decision to leave J.Crew but I respect and understand her wish to spend more time with her children.� Tracy and I have worked together for almost 20 years and I will miss her as a great merchant, leader and business partner."Jenna Lyons, 42, who is current executive creative director, will add the title of

One of the fastest ways to get email recipients to open and click on messages is to send notices of abandoned carts. As Sara Ezrin, senior director of strategic services at Cheetahmail, explained to eMarketer, recipients of such messages are already thinking about the items in their cart, and that they are in the market for those products will spur them toward quick response.