(New York, NY) After dipping in April, The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index edged up in May. The Index now stands at 109.8 (1985=100), up from 108.5 in April. While the Present Situation Index climbed from 106.8 to 110.3, the Expectations Index fell slightly to 109.4, compared with 109.6 in April.

(Lansing, MI) The number of Michigan retailers predicting increased sales for the next three months continued to climb in April, the seventh consecutive month of rising retail industry optimism.

(Menomonee Falls, WI) Kohl's Corporation today commemorated its 10th anniversary as a public company at its annual meeting of shareholders in Milwaukee. CEO Larry Montgomery reflected on the company's proven track record of expansion over the past decade and announced that the company's expansion in 2003 will include the opening of approximately 40 stores in Southern California, Phoenix and Las Vegas.

(Hong Kong) Tommy Hilfiger Corporation today reported its results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2002, as well as its current outlook for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2003.

(New York, NY) Cradle, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kellwood Company, today announced that it has commenced an exchange offer for any and all outstanding shares of Gerber Childrenswear, Inc. common stock for cash and common stock of Kellwood, pursuant to the terms of its previously executed merger agreement with Gerber.

(St. Louis, MO) The May Department Stores Company today renewed its commitment to be intensely merchandising-driven, while reinforcing its efforts to offer customers better edited merchandise and assortments with even greater fashion, style and value. The company also reviewed its financial strengths and announced preliminary voting results at its annual meeting in Houston, Texas.

(Paramus, NJ) Toys "R" Us, Inc. announced today results for the first quarter ended May 4, 2002. Total sales for the first quarter of 2002 increased 2%, to $2.1 billion from the first quarter of 2001.  

(New York, NY) Gerber Childrenswear, Inc. announced today that it has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Kellwood Company for a combination of cash and stock valued at $6.85 per share of Gerber common stock.

(Hoffman Estates, IL) Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Lands' End, Inc. have entered into a definitive agreement for Sears to acquire the direct merchant in a cash tender offer for $62 per Lands' End share, or approximately $1.9 billion.

(Troy, MI) Sesame Street's most dynamic duo is about to make a big change. Unbelievable, but true, Ernie and Bert have been wearing the same striped shirts for more than 30 years!

(Floral Park, NY) The following retailers posted sales results for the month of April 2002.

(Secaucus, NJ) The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc., today announced sales of $51.2 million for the four-week period ended May 4, 2002, a 3% decrease from sales of $52.7 million for the same period last year.

(Burlingame, CA) The Gymboree Corporation reported net sales for the four-week period ended May 4, 2002, of $35.8 million, compared to net sales of $36.1 million for the same four-week period last year. Comparable store sales for the four-week period were a negative (2.0)%, compared to the same period last year.

(New York, NY) Gerber Childrenswear, Inc. today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 30, 2002.

(Birmingham, AL) Retailer Saks Incorporated today announced that comparable store sales for the four weeks ended May 4, 2002 compared to the four weeks ended May 5, 2001 increased 0.9% on a total company basis. By segment, comparable store sales increased 1.0% for SDSG and 0.9% for SFAE for the period. Sales below are in millions and represent sales from owned departments only.

(Birmingham, AL) Retailer Saks Incorporated today announced that it will open an 80,000 square foot, bi-level Saks Fifth Avenue store in Raleigh, North Carolina at Triangle Town Center, a 1.3 million square foot super-regional retail center developed by The Richard E. Jacobs Group ("The Jacobs Group") of Cleveland, Ohio. The center is scheduled to open August 14, 2002, and the Saks Fifth Avenue store is scheduled to open in fall 2004.

(Birmingham, AL) Retailer Saks Incorporated today announced that it has entered into an arrangement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and the Cartoon Network to create temporary themed areas in the children's departments of 31 Saks Department Store Group (SDSG) stores.

(New York) The 41 million individuals in the United States between the ages of 5 and 14 have a direct buying power of more than $40 billion and influence $146 billion worth of expenditures every year.

(Toronto) Hudson's Bay Company introduced today, on the 332nd anniversary of its incorporation, an updated visual identity program for the Company and its retail divisions.

(St. Louis, MO) The May Department Stores Company today announced that, effective August 3, 2002, it is combining its Kaufmann's and Filene's divisions in the Northeast as well as its Robinsons-May and Meier & Frank divisions in the West and Northwest.

(Secaucus, NJ) The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. today announced it has completed its acquisition of 23 store leases and certain other related assets of Au Coin des Petits/Young Canada, the children's division of Comark Inc.

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

(Port Washington, NY) Unlike recent years with steady sales gains, 2001 was a year of erratic growth and decline for the apparel industry. As consumer confidence fell, unemployment increased, and fear for our nation's security rose, consumers not only purchased less apparel, but also spent less per item. Total apparel sales in 2001 dropped almost six percent to $166 billion compared to $176 billion the previous year, according to NPDFashionworld, the leading provider of essential market information and insights for the fashion industry.

(New York, NY) The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index, which surged in March, declined moderately in April. The Index now stands at 108.8 (1985=100), down from 110.7 in March. The Present Situation Index fell from 111.5 to 107.0. The Expectations Index declined from 110.2 to 110.0.