American Apparel

American Apparel is in the process of firing all of its undocumented workers, under pressure from the Department of Homeland Security -- a move that will cause as much real harm to Los Angeles as it will imaginary good. Taking away as many as 1,800 jobs that pay $10 to $12 an hour plus benefits will probably drive those workers into an underground economy or into sweatshops, maybe into crime, maybe homelessness. They and their children will be more susceptible to poverty and hunger and more likely to require public assistance.

Los Angeles clothier American Apparel Inc. reported a narrower financial loss and improved sales in its first quarter of 2012, but it continued to struggle. For the quarter that ended March 31, the retailer reported a loss of $7.9 million, or 7 cents a share, an improvement from the loss of $20.7 million, or 28 cents a share, a year earlier. Sales totaled $132.7 million, a 14% jump from $116.1 million in the year-earlier period. "We're beginning to see the results of greater efficiency in merchandise planning, systems for delivery to markets and inventory control," said Peter Schey, a lawyer for American Apparel.

Los Angeles clothier American Apparel Inc. reported a narrower financial loss and improved sales in its first quarter of 2012, but it continued to struggle. For the quarter that ended March 31, the retailer reported a loss of $7.9 million, or 7 cents a share, an improvement from the loss of $20.7 million, or 28 cents a share, a year earlier. Sales totaled $132.7 million, a 14% jump from $116.1 million in the year-earlier period. "We're beginning to see the results of greater efficiency in merchandise planning, systems for delivery to markets and inventory control," said Peter Schey, a lawyer for American Apparel.

Re "Vandals lash out in Seattle," May 2 Kudos to Occupy Seattle for smashing windows at an American Apparel store. This U.S.-based company keeps its manufacturing in the country (Los Angeles, to be exact), creating thousands of U.S. retail and manufacturing jobs. It struggles for a profit. The protesters also targeted Starbucks, a U.S.-based company with several coffee bean roasting plants across the country. It plans on building a new plant in Georgia and reactivating a once-dormant factory in Ohio to make mugs.

Shareholders elected to keep American Apparel Inc. founder Dov Charney on its board of directors, according to voting results announced at the troubled Los Angeles clothing maker's annual meeting Friday. In recent months American Apparel has been beset by a host of problems including sales declines, losses, problems with its debt and delayed quarterly filings. Two other board members, Mark Samson and Mark A. Thornton, were also reelected. Each will serve a three-year term. Shareholders also approved the ratification of Marcum as the company's independent auditor.

Troubled Los Angeles clothing maker American Apparel Inc. reported double-digit sales declines and a $9.5-million quarterly loss Tuesday and warned that it had "substantial doubt" about its viability going forward. In a continuing effort to turn itself around, the company announced several aggressive efforts to cut costs. It said it might have to close some stores, reduce manufacturing production levels, renegotiate real estate leases and reevaluate staffing levels. For the quarter ended Sept.

Los Angeles clothier American Apparel is planning to open its latest store-within-a-store concept at a department store in Britain. The in-store location in Manchester will be the fifth such collaboration with British department store chain Selfridges (which was founded by Henry Gordon Selfridge, an American businessman), and will take up about 150 square feet within the posh shop. American Apparel has 19 stores in Britain and in December opened its fourth store within a Selfridges in a shopping center in London.

American Apparel Inc. had a narrower loss and improved sales in its second quarter, the Los Angeles clothing maker and retailer said in an updated earnings filing. For the three months that ended June 30, the company reported a loss of $213,000, or flat earnings per share, compared with a loss of $14.7 million, or 21 cents, in the year-earlier period. Sales were flat overall and at stores open at least a year. The latter measure, known as same-store sales, is considered an important gauge of a retailer's health because it excludes store openings and closings.

Beleaguered Los Angeles clothing maker American Apparel Inc. said Friday that it had amended its debt agreement with Lion Capital, helping it avoid violating the terms of its loan. The London-based private equity firm is also working with American Apparel to realign its capital structure, including hiring several new senior executives. "We wholeheartedly support the company's 'Made in USA' philosophy under which 7,000 industrial workers in downtown Los Angeles are paid a fair wage," Lyndon Lea, Lion Capital founder and partner, said in a statement.

American Apparel Inc. said sales declined and it lost money in 2010, and it warned that several risk factors this year could force it to seek bankruptcy protection if business doesn't improve. In its 2010 annual report, filed Thursday, the Los Angeles clothing company — currently embroiled in two sexual harassment lawsuits that former employees filed in March — reported sales of $533 million last year, a 4.6% decline from 2009. It also reported a net loss of $86.3 million for 2010 and said it expected an operating loss for 2011.

Los Angeles clothier American Apparel is planning to open its latest store-within-a-store concept at a department store in Britain. The in-store location in Manchester will be the fifth such collaboration with British department store chain Selfridges (which was founded by Henry Gordon Selfridge, an American businessman), and will take up about 150 square feet within the posh shop. American Apparel has 19 stores in Britain and in December opened its fourth store within a Selfridges in a shopping center in London.

Los Angeles clothier American Apparel Inc. said an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission into its financial reporting practices had ended without enforcement action. The investigation was sparked in 2010 when Deloitte & Touche resigned as American Apparel's accountant and warned the retailer that its previous audit reports and 2009 financial statements may not be reliable. The SEC told American Apparel this week that the investigation was ending, and no enforcement action was recommended against the retailer, the company said Wednesday.

Los Angeles clothier American Apparel Inc. continued to struggle in the third quarter with red ink, but reported a narrower loss and a rise in sales. For the quarter ended Sept. 30, the company reported a loss of $7.2 million, or 7 cents a share, compared with a loss of $9.5 million, or 13 cents, a year earlier. Total sales rose 5% to $140.9 million. Online sales increased 11%. Comparable-store sales, an important barometer of a retailer's health, rose 3%; American Apparel measures comparable-store sales as the combination of online sales and sales at stores open at least a year.

When my son was born three years ago, we received an olive green romper embroidered with a tiny red elephant, an outfit that came from a children's boutique specializing in a line of handmade, local and eco-friendly clothing and toys. No matter how many times we washed it, the cotton remained soft and vibrant — and the romper stayed that way through wearings by two friends' babies. The word "organic" was not mentioned on the Entertaining Elephants label, but after a little digging I discovered that not only was the cotton in the romper organic, the outfit was part of one of the few children's lines designed and produced in Los Angeles.

A group of Canadian investors is looking to sell its shares in Los Angeles clothier American Apparel Inc. just four months after investing $15 million to help rescue the company. American Apparel said in a regulatory filing that the group, led by Canadian financier Michael Serruya, could sell up to 43.2 million shares of common stock. "We do not know when or in what amount the selling stockholders may offer the shares for sale," American Apparel said in the filing Tuesday.

When author Robert Greene wrote his bestselling book "The 48 Laws of Power," his win-at-all-costs message turned him into a cult hero with the hip-hop set, Hollywood elite and prison inmates alike. Crush your enemy totally, he wrote in Law 15. Play a sucker to catch a sucker, he said in another. Get others to do the work for you, but always take the credit. Greene's warrior-like take on the quest for power, written more than a decade ago, would eventually attract another devotee: Dov Charney, the provocative and sometimes impish chief executive of Los Angeles clothing company American Apparel Inc. The 52-year-old Greene — a former screenwriter who speaks five languages and worked 80 jobs before writing "The 48 Laws" — has become Charney's guru, a trusted confidant to the 42-year-old entrepreneur and, insiders say, a voice of reason on American Apparel's board of directors.

American Apparel Inc., the Los Angeles clothing maker and retailer known for its colorful fashions, racy advertising and outspoken chief executive, is fraying at the edges. The company's fourth-quarter profit plunged 21% to $3.05 million, and its stock closed Thursday at $3.16 -- less than half its high of $6.97 late last April. By comparison, rivals such as H&M, Gap and Urban Outfitters in the young-adult sector are performing well. Analysts say that though competitors rode out the recession by selling cheaper clothes, the pricey urban-chic clothier offered few discounts or deals.

A group of Canadian investors is looking to sell its shares in Los Angeles clothier American Apparel Inc. just four months after investing $15 million to help rescue the company. American Apparel said in a regulatory filing that the group, led by Canadian financier Michael Serruya, could sell up to 43.2 million shares of common stock. "We do not know when or in what amount the selling stockholders may offer the shares for sale," American Apparel said in the filing Tuesday.

American Apparel Inc. had a narrower loss and improved sales in its second quarter, the Los Angeles clothing maker and retailer said in an updated earnings filing. For the three months that ended June 30, the company reported a loss of $213,000, or flat earnings per share, compared with a loss of $14.7 million, or 21 cents, in the year-earlier period. Sales were flat overall and at stores open at least a year. The latter measure, known as same-store sales, is considered an important gauge of a retailer's health because it excludes store openings and closings.