Express Goes Public (NBC)
(NBC) Express Goes Public with Lunchtime Fashion Show in Wall Street
“Express went public today, and to celebrate 30 years in the biz, models rang the bell at the NYSE and this afternoon, they’ll host a fashion show on Wall Street itself. Headliners Alek Wek, Isabel Goulart and Flavia de Oliveira will lead the catwalk down the main thoroughfare of the financial district at 12:30pm, before taking to the streets with “mystery” gift cards loaded with up to $75 — according to Modelinia, there’ll be thousands up for grabs.”
(WWD) Zac Posen May Show in Paris
“The designer told a visitor to his showroom Tuesday that he will show his spring 2011 ready-to-wear collection in Paris where, he said, “they understand my clothes.” Posen cited as an additional reason for the move his inability to secure his preferred time slot during New York Fashion Week.”
(WWD) Nordstrom Earnings Up in First Quarter
“Reporting after the markets closed Thursday, the high-end retailer said first-quarter earnings for the period ended May 1 jumped to $116 million, from $81 million.Sales rose 16.6 percent to $1.99 billion from $1.71 billion, while same-store sales rose 13.7 percent.”
(WSJ) At Gap, Two Brands on Mend, One to Go
“While Gap Inc.’s Old Navy and Banana Republic divisions are showing signs of life, the Gap brand itself continues to struggle with styles that consumers find easy to ignore.This week, Gap is expected to post its first quarterly same-store sales rose in more than five years—the first of Mr. Robinson’s tenure. But a rise, for the quarter ended May 1, would come with the caveat that last year’s quarter was especially bad. The question is whether Mr. Robinson can build on the gains and convince people inside and outside the company that a turnaround is under way.”
(WWD) Urban Outfitters Profits Leap
“Urban Outfitters, which operates the Anthropologie, Free People, Leifsdottir, Terrain and Urban Outfitters brands, on Thursday reported record first-quarter earnings of $53 million. Net income was 31 cents a diluted share, a 72 percent increase over last year’s 18 cents, when earnings totaled $31 million. Glen Senk, chief executive officer of Urban Outfitters Inc., said “We achieved record sales and earnings, but to do so within the greater context of our longer-term goals of investing in store productivity, e-commerce penetration, international expansion and new brands, is even more satisfying.”"