Maybe the economy and the retail environment really are firming up. Not only have such discount bigwigs as Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT), Target (NYSE:TGT), and Costco (NASDAQ:COST) recently reported encouraging results, but today high-end department store operator Neiman Marcus Group (NYSE:NMGA) posted some of its own.

The retailer closed out its fourth quarter and fiscal year with stronger-than-expected earnings. Given that you'd be hard-pressed to find a sock for less than $50 inside a Neiman Marcus, and that the company's fourth quarter falls during one of the slowest seasons for retail, the results are worth a look.

Total sales increased 5.4% for Q4, up to $702.7 million. Same-store sales were up 5.2% at Neiman Marcus stores and 16.2% at Bergdorf Goodman stores.

Earnings grew 35% from $5.3 million to $7.2 million. The prior year's fourth-quarter net income included impairment and other charges of $1.1 million, which drops earnings growth to 12.5% if we compare on that basis.

Per share, Neiman's Q4 earnings were $0.15 vs. $0.11. Analysts had been expecting $0.12, and Neiman Marcus had forecast a range of $0.08-$0.13 a share.

Looking ahead, Neiman Marcus predicts that same-store sales for its first quarter will rise in the mid-single-digit range. Other retailers have been optimistic about the back-to-school season, and luckily for shareholders, Neiman Marcus is, too.