Content about Chico's

Fort Myers, Fla. -- Chico's FAS reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 27 surged 57.4% to $41.7 million, compared with $26.5 million in last year's third quarter.

Sales increased 18.2% to $636.7 million, and same-store sales grew 9.9%.

By banner, Chico's/Soma Intimates same-store sales increased 11.6%, and White House|Black Market rose 6.4%.

Willow Grove, Pa. -- Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust said Monday that Soma Intimates recently opened at Willow Grove Park, in Willow Grove, Pa.

The 2,369-sq.-ft. store will be joined by a newly formatted J.C. Penney opening this fall and featuring the retailer’s Shops format, along with the opening of accessory boutique Laila Rowe.

Willow Grove Park is a three-level, 1.2 million-sq.-ft. regional shopping mall anchored by Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Sears and Nordstrom Rack.

Fort Meyers, Fla. -- Chico's FAS Inc. said Wednesday that its fiscal first-quarter net income rose a better-than-expected 17% to 53.6 million in the three months through April 28, compared with $45.9 million a year ago. The chain also bumped up its revenue outlook for the year.

Revenue rose 21% to $650.8 million, beating expectations, from $537.2 million a year ago. The company September acquisition of women's clothing chain Boston Proper added $33.7 million in sales during the quarter.

Fort Myers, Fla. -- Chico's FAS reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 29 fell to $26.5 million, compared with $28.8 million a year earlier. Results include costs associated with the company’s acquisition of Boston Proper.

Net sales for the quarter increased 11.5% to $538.5 million, from $483 million. Same-store sales increased 3.7%. By brand, Chico's/Soma Intimates same-store sales increased 0.6% and White House | Black Market surged 11%.

Fort Myers, Fla. -- Chico’s FAS reported Wednesday that its profit for the second quarter surged 42% to $43.4 million, up from $30.5 million a year earlier. Revenue rose 18% to $551.4 million, topping Wall Street’s expected $536.3 million, and same-store sales increased 12.8%. By brand, same-store sales were up 11.9% at Chico and Sonoma Intimates, and comps were up 14.9% at White House | Black Market.

Fort Myers, Fla. -- Chico's FAS said Wednesday that profit for the first quarter was $45.9 million, compared with $35.4 million in the year-ago period.

Net sales increased 11.5% to $537.2 million, from $481.6 million in last year's first quarter. Consolidated same-store sales rose 7.7%.

The operator of Chico’s, White House|Black Market and Soma Intimates said it anticipates opening 21 net new stores in the May-June 2011 time frame.

Fort Myers, Fla. -- Chico’s FAS announced Monday that it has named Celia Rao Visconti as senior VP of marketing.

She will report directly to Cinny Murray, brand president of Chico's, and will oversee the brand's marketing strategy and initiatives. 

Rao Visconti was previously executive VP and chief marketing officer for New York & Co.

Fort Myers, Fla. -- Chico's FAS announced Tuesday that it has appointed Kent A. Kleeberger to the position of executive VP, COO. 

Kleeberger will replace Jeffrey A. Jones, who is retiring from the company effective March 7. Jones will serve as part-time consultant to the company during a transition period.

Kleeberger, 58, has served as executive VP-finance and CFO of Chico's FAS since joining the company in November 2007. Previously, he was senior VP and CFO for Dollar Tree Stores.