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The retail (special lines) industry is comprised of a wide variety of subgroups and companies that cannot be analyzed and evaluated as a broad category, and these stocks must be individually evaluated. Results for the holiday shopping season in 1998 were satisfactory for most retailers, and the US economy is poised for growth in 1999 which augers well for the retail industry. These stocks are not strong in 1999 and investors need to be selective both for the short and long term.

Consumer confidence in the US has decreased somewhat during the 3rd qtr of 1998, but interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve Board should keep the economy going and a recession seems unlikely. Success in the retail industry in the 4th qtr of 1998 will depend on execution and the 1998 holiday shopping season, although some retail sectors are mixed. Investors need to focus upon growth companies for their selections.

Speciality retailers with strong merchandising talents will outperform their competition in 1994 and 1995. Factors such as moderate inflation and a weak US dollar will create a business climate that can be exploited by those retailers with lean, competitive operations. Investments in this industry should be focused on companies that have high ratings for financial strength and that have capital returns that are above the industry average.

The diversified retail industry can offer investors with various portfolio goals at least one strong choice. Low interest rates are boosting the housing and home improvement markets. Companies aiming to expand in the unsaturated urban markets or in Canada and Mexico due to the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement may be good investment choices. Potential investors should study individual Timeliness ranks.

The specialty retail industry will improve during the 1990s, as retailers continue to streamline their businesses and use high technology to keep inventory low. The economy seems to be improving in Nov 1993, and consumers are beginning to spend again. Another indication of consumer confidence is in the show of colored apparel planned for spring 1994. The stocks within this group should do well from 1993 to 1998, as retailers establish better working relationships with manufacturers.

Career and casual fashion apparel retailer The Dress Barn Inc has posted second quarter earnings in line with initial expectations, and reported especially encouraging sales of spring transitional merchandise. Second-quarter [...]

Byline: Jeanine Poggi NEW YORK -- Early same-store sales results from three retailers Thursday indicate a mixed bag is in store when firms release June comps next week. Christopher and [...]

NEW YORK -- Seemingly endless showers in June depressed retail results along with shoppers' spirits, as The Dress Barn and Deb Shops both reported decreases in their same-store sales. However [...]

The Suffern, N.Y.-based firm, which operates 780 stores, also said total sales for the month decreased 2 percent to $59.1 million compared to $60.3 million reported in November 2001, a [...]

For the three months ended Oct. 26, the Suffern, N.Y.-based specialty retailer reported net income advanced 11 percent to $8.8 million, or 23 cents a diluted share, versus the year-ago [...]

NEW YORK -- The year ended on a high note for The Dress Barn's 754 value-oriented specialty stores as it reported comparable-store increases in July, but earlier sluggishness took its [...]

NEW YORK -- Dress Barn is hoping its 2-for-1 stock split brings more investors into the fold. On Monday, the first day of trading after Friday's split, shares of the [...]

NEW YORK -- Dress Barn Inc.'s first-quarter net income dropped 38.3 percent on lower comparable-store sales. Net earnings for the period ended Oct. 27 totaled $7.9 million, or 42 cents [...]

NEW YORK -- The Dress Barn Inc. posted sharply higher earnings for its second quarter, but warned that the challenging economic environment would put profits for the remainder of the [...]

NEW YORK -- Claiming to be riding a shift back to career looks, The Dress Barn Inc. said it had reported its best quarterly earnings in company history. In its [...]

NEW YORK -- An abundance of fashion trends drove customers to many specialty chains this spring. Ann Taylor, Deb Shops, Charming Shoppes, Dress Barn and Venator proved that on Thursday [...]

NEW YORK -- The Dress Barn said Thursday that its second-quarter net slipped 0.6 percent to $6.19 million, from $6.23 million, and that it would consider making an acquisition or [...]

NEW YORK -- Merchandise miscues took a toll on three specialty chains last quarter: Wet Seal, Dress Barn and One Price Clothing, while Sports Authority stayed in the red. However, [...]

Dress Barn hopes to stimulate its earnings with restructuring and by installing a better distribution system. The women's clothing retailer has $41 million in cash and no debt, which will make its expansion plans easier.