aggregatedcontent

The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc, a retailer of children's apparel, has reported a net income for the fourth quarter ended January 28, 2012 was $24.23 million, or $0.97 per diluted share, compared to $32.15 million or $1.22 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter ended January 29, 2011. The company is projecting that non-GAAP adjusted earnings per diluted share for fiscal 2012 will be between $3.10 and $3.30, assuming positive low-single digit comparable retail sales.

The Men's Wearhouse, a specialty retailer of men's apparel, has reported that net loss attributable to common shareholders of $3.78 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter ended January 28, 2012, compared to a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $14.09 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, for the quarter ended January 29, 2011. For the first quarter GAAP diluted earnings per share is expected to be in a range of $0.53 to $0.54.

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters Inc. reported Monday that profit for the fourth quarter fell to $39.3 million, from $75.2 million a year earlier. Sales rose 9% to $730.6 million, missing Wall Street’s expected $740 million in revenue. The operator of Anthropologie, Free People and Urban Outfitters stores said heavy discounting over the holidays took a big toll on margins; in fact, margins have declined for at least five quarters as the retailer has made major markdowns to clear out slow-moving merchandise. “I am pleased that we managed our inventories to appropriate levels at year-end even though our margins during

Dallas -- Zale Corp. said Tuesday that it has named Jamie Singleton as senior VP and general manager of Piercing Pagoda, effective March 27. Singleton is charged with overall responsibility for the company’s kiosk business and will report to Theo Killion, CEO. Singleton most recently served as senior VP business expansion at CPI Corp.

The Mobile Shopping Survey Series, Part 2: CPG Shopping Behavior, revealed that nearly 75 percent of consumers would switch brands if offered real-time mobile promotions delivered to their smartphones while shopping in a store aisle. 

As Ann Taylor emerges from its midlife crisis, the 58-year-old women's clothing chain is counting on a makeover to pull it out of the doldrums. Parent ANN INC. has a plan to replace its aging fleet of large Ann Taylor stores with smaller, more contemporary outposts that make women feel as if they have walked into their dream closet.

As the internet matures and expands, the number of choices available to users grows exponentially. Invariably, more solutions arise to tame the clutter. In the early days of the web, portals like Yahoo touted handpicked sites bundled into browsable categories.

Coldwater Creek Inc, a retailer of women's apparel, accessories, jewelry and gift items, has reported that net loss for the fourth quarter ended January 28, 2012 was $12.83 million, or $0.11 loss per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $37.04 million, or $0.40 loss per diluted share, for the fourth quarter ended January 29, 2011.

Men's Wearhouse continues to invest in technology with two new mobile apps and expansion of its online presence. By leveraging technology, the brand lowered average store inventory by 7 percent in 2011, better managing the overall cost structure.

For baby boomers, the ideal shopping experience is about getting a good deal on a decent product. For Gen Yers, it's more about a stimulating, sensual, "sharable" experience. Think sensible shoes vs. smartphones. This practicality divide is among the many discoveries in a new in-depth study on retail by Brodeur Partners, which is introducing quantitative social science to the often subjective practice of communications, branding, public relations and social change initiatives.