Ann Taylor profit beats Street; same-store sales up 5.5%

NEW YORK — Ann Inc., formerly known as Ann Taylor, reported a 33.4% rise in quarterly net income to $32.3 million, beating analysts’ estimates. The company’s performance was boosted by strong demand for its Loft brand, where same-store sales rose 7.9%. Same-store sales rose 2.5% at Ann Taylor. Comp-sales were up 45.8% in the Ann Taylor ecommerce channel and 1.8% in the Ann Taylor Factory channel. Total same-store sales were up 5.5%. "Compelling product and effective marketing drove significantly higher sales and profitability across all Loft channels," said CEO Kay Krill said in a statement Total net sales for