(Lansing, MI) Three of every four Michigan retailers project increased 2nd Quarter sales, despite a disappointing Easter holiday that contributed to a falloff in March.

(New York) Everlast Worldwide Inc., manufacturer, marketer and licensor of sporting goods and apparel under the Everlast brand name, today announced the signing of New York-based International Basics, Inc. as a new licensee covering the United States.  

(Irvine, CA) Ocean Pacific Apparel Corp. (OP), the original California lifestyle brand, today announced it has formalized a licensing agreement with Kids Headquarters (KHQ), a leader in the children's licensed apparel business.

(Oshkosh, WI) OshKosh B'Gosh, Inc., today reported sales and earnings for the first quarter ended March 30, 2002.

(Greensboro, NC) VF Corporation, the world's largest apparel company, today reported better than expected results for the first quarter of 2002.

(Huntington Beach, CA) Quiksilver is pleased to announce the opening of two new concept shops in the Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton, California.

(Hoffman Estates, IL) Sears, Roebuck and Co. today announced it plans to debut Covington (TM), the newest addition to its family of proprietary brands, at Sears' full-line stores in September. This ``new classic'' brand becomes the company's first exclusive brand extending across men's, women's and children's apparel.

(Dayton, OH) The Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. eliminated 105 associate positions out of approximately 7,000 in April as part of its previously announced expense initiatives for fiscal 2002.

(Framingham, MA) Louise Cabral has become the franchise owner for the Children's Orchard (CO) Store here, an upscale kids' resale operation specializing in quality, gently used clothes, toys, and equipment as well as new products. Children's Orchard also buys outgrown kids' products, paying cash.

(New York) In The North America eCommerce: B2C and B2B Report, released today, eMarketer predicts that more than one-half of the 123.4 million US internet users--age 14 and older--will purchase goods and services online over the course of the year.  

(Stratham, NH) The Timberland Company today reported results for the quarter ended March 29, 2002.

(Hoffman Estates, IL) Sears, Roebuck and Co. today reported first quarter 2002 net income, excluding non-comparable items, of $300 million, or $0.93 per share, a 107 percent per share increase over the prior year comparable first quarter of $0.45 per share. The increase is due primarily to improved performance in the company's core retail and credit businesses.

(Minneapolis, MN) Marshall Field's today announced the expansion of Creative Kidstuff -- named one of the nation's top toy stores by Child Magazine -- into 11 more of its department stores. The expansion includes stores in Michigan, Wisconsin and Rochester, Minn., which are new markets for Creative Kidstuff. The toy retailer was introduced at three Marshall Field's stores last November: State Street in Chicago, downtown Minneapolis and Southdale in Edina, Minn.

(Paramus, NJ) The Toys ``R'' Us Children's Fund, Inc. marked another record night in fundraising when it raised more than $7.2 million in just one night at the company's 17th annual ``An Evening for Special Children'' benefit gala. Held last night, Wednesday, April 17 at New York's Marriott Marquis Hotel, the charity event featured Rosie O'Donnell as host for the fundraising auction, and a special performance by Lionel Richie.

(Greensboro, NC) What makes a child walk through a mud puddle? What makes a kid use her or his sleeve as a napkin or shirttail as a towel? The leading children's clothing manufacturer, Healthtex, calls this thinking ``kid logic''. And it's everyday kid's logic that causes stress for parents. As kids play, run, eat, jump, fall, and have fun ... they get messy -- often ruining their clothes in this process. The challenge for many parents is how to afford a wardrobe that survives all that kids dish out. The solution: Healthtex® featuring Kidproof(TM).

(Jackson, MI) Jacobson Stores Inc. today announced results for the fourth quarter and the fiscal year ended February 2, 2002.

(Philadelphia, PA) The recent release of ``Apparel Merchandising: The Line Starts Here,'' by Jeremy A. Rosenau, assistant professor and The Kurt Salmon Chair of Fashion Apparel Management at Philadelphia University, and David L. Wilson, a former assistant professor and director of Fashion at Philadelphia University, is a comprehensive resource that approaches apparel merchandising from the perspective of the producer. Published by Fairchild Books in 2002, it is an indispensable and stimulating look at the apparel business - both domestically and internationally.

(Atlanta) American Software announced that S. Schwab Company, the sole licensee for Ralph Lauren Childrenswear, has selected New Generation's Internet-based supply chain management software, e-SPS, to streamline and manage its sourcing, production and delivery process worldwide.

(Green Bay, WI) ShopKo Stores, Inc. today announced today that its board of directors has accepted the resignation of William J. Podany as president and chief executive officer, and director, for personal reasons.

(Dodgeville, WI) Lands' End, Inc., the direct merchant of classically styled apparel and home furnishings, is updating its business outlook for fiscal 2003, ended January 31, 2003. 

(Miami Beach, FL) In its second year of operations, AllRetailJobs.com (www.allretailjobs.com) continues its exponential growth to become the largest job board on the Internet for retail jobs. Posting more than 11,000 jobs for retail candidates to search, AllRetailJobs.com has passed Monster and HotJobs in this vital niche industry.

(Dallas) The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. announced the following preliminary Company-wide revenues:

(Minneapolis, MN) In one of the most exciting and original design statements of recent years, Philippe Starck has collaborated with Target Stores to present Starck Reality -- an extraordinary collection of everyday, ``common'' items brimming with uncommon style, elegance and artistry.

(New York) In the Online Advertising: Statistics, Strategies, Projections & Trends Report, released today, eMarketer predicts that US online advertising spending will increase 11.0% in 2002--a bounceback from the 11.0% drop in 2001.

(Plano, TX) In a business where fashions and consumer tastes change overnight, staying in business for 100 years is reason to celebrate. For the J. C. Penney Company, Inc., the celebration of a century in retailing is an affirmation of its ability to change and adapt with the times and tastes of its customers while adhering to its timeless mission: providing quality merchandise at good prices.