R.G. Barry Corporation plans to announce its second quarter/first half operating results and conduct a conference call and webcast on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012.

The Company will issue a news release detailing its performance prior to the market open. Senior management will then discuss its operating results and business outlook during a conference call/webcast planned for 9 a.m. Eastern Time.

To listen via the Internet, log on to http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=84650.

The conference call will also be available at 800.860.2442 (U.S.) and +1.412.858.4600 (international) until five minutes before starting time.

Call replays will be available beginning approximately one hour after the call conclusion and running and through 9 a.m. Eastern Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012 at 877.344.7529 (U.S.) and +1.412.317.0088 (international); ask for conference number 10008973. Replays and a written transcript of the call will be posted for up to one year at the Investor Room section of rgbarry.com.

About RG Barry
RG Barry creates and markets great accessories brands and fashionable, solution-oriented products that make life better. Our primary brands include: Dearfoams® slippers www.dearfoams.com; baggallini® handbags, totes and travel accessories www.baggallini.com; and Foot Petals® premium insoles and comfort products www.footpetals.com.  To learn more, visit us at www.rgbarry.com.

Ross Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: ROST) today reported sales for the four weeks ended January 28, 2012 of $483 million, an increase of 10% over the $441 million in sales for the four weeks ended January 29, 2011. Same store sales for the four weeks ended January 28, 2012 grew 5% on top of 3% and 8% gains in the prior two years.

For the 13 weeks ended January 28, 2012, sales rose 12% to $2.398 billion, from $2.145 billion for the 13 weeks ended January 29, 2011.  Comparable store sales for the quarter ended January 28, 2012 increased 7% on top of 4% and 10% growth in the fourth quarters of 2010 and 2009, respectively. 

For the 52 weeks ended January 28, 2012, sales grew 9% to $8.608 billion, compared to $7.866 billion in sales for the 52 weeks ended January 29, 2011.  Comparable store sales for the 2011 fiscal year rose 5% on top of 5% and 6% increases in fiscal 2010 and 2009.

Michael Balmuth, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Sales for both January and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 were well ahead of our expectations as our wide assortments of compelling name-brand bargains continue to appeal to today's value-focused consumers.  Juniors, Shoes and Children's were the strongest merchandise categories during the month, while Florida and the Mid-Atlantic were the top performing regions."

Board of Directors Approves 27% Quarterly Dividend Increase
The Company announced that its Board of Directors recently approved a 27% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $.14 per common share, payable on March 30, 2012 to stockholders of record as of February 17, 2012.

In commenting, Mr. Balmuth said, "Our strong financial position and anticipated future cash flows allow us to continue to enhance stockholder returns through both our dividend and share repurchase programs. The higher dividend announced today represents the eighteenth consecutive annual increase since our dividend program was initiated in 1994.  In addition, we are pleased to report that during 2011 we repurchased a total of 11.3 million shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $450 million. We expect to complete as planned the remaining $450 million repurchase authorization in fiscal year 2012."   

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2011 Estimates
Based on January sales and margin results, the Company is raising its profit forecast for the 13 weeks ended January 28, 2012, with earnings per share now estimated to be in the range of $.84 to $.85.  These projected results would represent a 22% to 23% increase over the $.69 for the 13 weeks ended January 29, 2011.  For the 52 weeks ended January 28, 2012, earnings per share are estimated to grow 23% to 24% to $2.85 to $2.86, up from $2.31 for the 2010 fiscal year ended January 29, 2011. All share and per share figures reflect the Company's recent two-for-one stock split. 

Fiscal 2012 Guidance
For the 52 weeks ending January 26, 2013, the Company is forecasting same store sales to grow 1% to 2% on top of 5% gains in each of the prior two years. For the 53 weeks ending February 2, 2013 the Company projects earnings per share of $3.12 to $3.27.  This guidance range represents forecasted earnings per share growth of 9% to 14% on top of an estimated 23% to 24% increase for 2011 and 31% and 52% gains in 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The Company estimates the extra week in fiscal year 2012 will benefit earnings per share by approximately $.08 to $.09.

For the 13 weeks ending April 28, 2012, comparable store sales also are forecast to increase 1% to 2% on top of 3% and 10% increases in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010.  Earnings per share for the first quarter of 2012 are projected to be in the range of $.82 to $.86, up from $.74 in the prior year.  This guidance reflects forecasted EPS growth of 11% to 16% on top of 28% and 61% increases in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010.

In conclusion, Mr. Balmuth noted, "We are extremely pleased with both our sales and earnings growth in 2011, especially considering that they were achieved on top of exceptional increases over the past three years.  We believe these outstanding multi-year gains continue to be driven by the strong execution of our resilient off-price business model. Additionally, our long-term record of delivering consistent growth in both healthy and more challenging economic climates gives us the confidence to continue to project respectable increases in both comparable store sales and earnings per share in 2012 and beyond."

Additional recorded information concerning today's press release and the Company's future outlook can be accessed by calling 203-369-3930, PIN # 589220 from 8:30 a.m. Eastern time on February 2, 2012 through 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on February 3, 2012. A transcript of these comments will also be available in the Investors section of the Company's website at www.rossstores.com. 

The Company expects to report February 2012 sales on Thursday, March 1, 2012 and final fourth quarter 2011 earnings results on Thursday, March 15, 2012. 

Last year, thousands entered. And thousands more voted, tweeted, and watched as five amazing finalists squared off against one another in a series of nail-biting blogging, styling, and reporting challenges until Refinery29's Search for The Next Big Style Blogger reached its thrilling conclusion. Now, Refinery29's most popular original contest is back—and better than ever.

Refinery29, the award-winning online destination for all things fashion, shopping, and personal style, is calling for its millions of users to raise the stakes in the style blogging community by entering the Second Annual Search for The Next Big Style Blogger—the only online competition that starts with just a laptop and a camera and ends in the New York City headquarters of Refinery29 or as a style ambassador for Bar III, the high-profile fashion brand sold only at Macy's.

Launching Tuesday January 31, 2012, Refinery29's style-savvy readers can nominate themselves in this inspiring contest by simply submitting a photo and blog entry showcasing their original work at styleblogger.refinery29.com. From there, Refinery29's top editors will narrow the field to five finalists who will compete against each other over the following weeks in a series of challenges testing their skills in breaking fashion news, whipping up unique looks, street-style stalking, and more. Regular features will cover each phase of the Search for The Next Big Style Blogger contest at Refinery29.com, where readers and fans can vote for their favorite finalists.

Ultimately, one contestant chosen by Refinery29's editors will win the Grand Prize – $1,000, a week-long trip to New York City, and a guest blogger role with Refinery29. First Prize—chosen by the team at Bar III—will represent the brand in a nationwide tour of America's best flea markets for summer shopping. Finally, the contestant with the most votes from Refinery29's readers will win the People's Choice Award. Winners will be announced at the end of March.

Refinery29's search for the Next Big Style Blogger kicks off Tuesday January 31, 2012.

Thank you for reading this fashion news on the Fashion Newspaper.

By the way, we know where they should look for the worlds best fashion bloggers.  They should look at the fashion blogger directory on Apparel Search.

I think that the author of the fashion blog should be nominated as well.

Good luck, to those of you that enter the Refinery29 contest.

The conference call will be webcast and made available through the Company's website at www.jonesgroupinc.com. The call will also be recorded and made available through February 16, 2012. The recorded call may be accessed by dialing 877-344-7529 (International 412-317-0088). Enter account number 10008702.

Sooner Holdings, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: SOON) (the "Company"), announced that it has changed its name to Flying Eagle PU Technical Corporation and completed a reverse stock split on a 1-for-18.29069125 shares basis. The Company's stock symbol on the NASDAQ Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board will also be changed from "SOON" to "FEPU."

Under the Company's restated certificate of incorporation filed with the Oklahoma Secretary of State, 18.29069125 shares of the Company's common stock issued and outstanding were combined and changed into one share of common stock. Any resulting fractional share was rounded up to the next higher whole number.  The reverse stock split affects all issued and outstanding shares of the Company's common stock immediately prior to the effective date of the reverse stock split.  On January 30, 2012, the split-adjusted shares of the Company's common stock will trade under the symbol "SOOND" for 20 trading days to signify that the reverse stock split has occurred.  Thereafter, the "D" will be removed and the new symbol will be "FEPU".  In addition, as a result of the reverse stock split, in accordance to the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock, each share of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding automatically converted into 1,000 shares of common stock (on a post reverse stock basis), resulting in the automatic conversion of 19,200 shares of Series A Preferred Stock of the Company into approximately 19,200,000 shares of common stock of the Company.

Mr. Ang Kang Han, President of the Company stated, "We believe our new name Flying Eagle PU Corporation better reflects our brand and business operations. In addition, the symbol change will help our shareholders and potential shareholders identify our stock with our Company."

About the Company

The Company, located in Fujian province, is a leading producer of synthetic polyurethane leather ("PU leather") for the shoe industry in China.  The Company's primary business is to design, manufacture and distribute PU leather.  The Company also manufactures flip-flops and slippers for sale in China and abroad.  For its high performance series, the Company uses high-density nonwoven fabric as base cloth because of its superior hydrolysis resistance, peel and tear strength, durability and air and moisture permeability.  High performance PU leather is mainly used to make high-grade athletic shoes.  The Company is located in ShiShi City, Fujian, close to Quanzhou - China's largest production base for sports shoes, sneakers and casual shoes.  In this one region alone, there are more than 3,000 shoe manufacturers producing over 1 billion shoes annually located in close proximity.

Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group announced yesterday the appointment of Rick Blackshaw as president of the Keds brand.  Blackshaw has extensive footwear experience with brands including Converse, Timberland, and the former division of Reebok, Avia, and most recently served as vice president and general manager for the Chuck Taylor All Star Division of Converse, Inc.  He will start in his new role Jan. 24 and succeeds Kristin Kohler Burrows who recently departed  the position to pursue career opportunities closer to her home in New York.