Shop Talk

Check out the mixed results at women’s clothing retailer Talbots.

The company posted a higher-than-expected quarterly profit as tighter inventory management boosted margins, but demand lagged analysts’ expectations.

Talbots’ second-quarter results echoed those of the prior three-month period, when sales suffered as the retailer did not stock enough merchandise.

“Our top-line sales performance reflects our decision to remain on plan with respect to our promotional event calendar within what proved to be an aggressively promotional environment,” Chief Executive Trudy Sullivan said.

U.S. retailers posted modestly higher-than-expected August sales as consumers sought out bargains during the key back-to-school shopping season. The reports suggested retailers were able to clear excess inventories ahead of the key selling season without having to resort to deep discounts.

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(Reuters photo)