Consumer Affairs & Relations

Greensboro, N.C. – The Fresh Market Inc. did not meet Wall Street expectations for profit or revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. The grocer reported net income of $17.47 million, up 53% from $11.39 million the prior period.

Higher gross margin and pretax income drove profit growth. Net sales increased 5% to $442.1 million from $422.23 million, and same-store sales decreased 1%. The Fresh Market plans to open 18 new stores and remodel or refresh nine to 10 stores during the full fiscal year.

On the heels of another successful quarter from off-price rival TJX, Ross Stores Inc. also reported a spike in same store sales for the second quarter.

For the second quarter ended Aug. 1, Ross Stores says net earnings rose 8% to $259 million from $240 million the same quarter the prior fiscal year. Sales rose 9% to $2.97 billion from $2.73 billion, with same-store sales up 4%

Amazon.com is planning to open a fifth fulfillment center in the state of Texas.

In Texas, Amazon currently employs more than 3,500 full-time associates, has invested more than $400 million in the state and continues to grow its operations to meet customer demand. Amazon’s other Lone Star State fulfillment centers are located in Schertz, Coppell, and Haslet, with a fourth facility under construction in Dallas.

San Francisco – Gap Inc. experienced increases in cost of goods sold and operating expenses as sales fell during a difficult second quarter of fiscal 2015, resulting in substantial profit decline. Gap reported net income of $219 million, down 51% from $332 million in the same quarter the prior fiscal year.

Issaquah, Wash. — A consumer lawsuit reportedly accuses Costco of knowingly purchasing shrimp from Thai providers that use slave labor and then misleading the public about the practice. According to the Puget Sound Business Journal, a California woman filed the suit in San Francisco federal court.

Stage Stores Inc. lowered its profit forecast for the year and said it plans to close at least 90 underperforming stores as the retailer invests more on digital.

The retailer said it expects the closures to enhance its capital efficiency, deliver higher productivity and allow it to invest more money in the online sales product mix and technology in general.

Toys“R”Us has collected a sizable amount of money for a cause near and dear to the hearts of toy-loving kids and parents worldwide -- mostly thanks to an innovative social media campaign.

The retailer says it raised $2.2 million during its fifth annual nationwide fundraising and awareness campaign benefiting Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for pediatric cancer.

The CEO of Whole Foods says that despite the company's recent bad publicity and sales growth struggles, the retailer plans to stay the course of "conscious capitalism."

Grand Rapids, Mich. – A rival Midwestern grocery chain is reportedly accusing regional mass merchandiser Meijer Inc. of offering unfairly low prices on grocery products. According to the Milwaukee Business Journal, Milwaukee-based law firm Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan has filed five complaints against Meijer from an unnamed client who is grocer with stores in Wisconsin.

Lowe’s was hoping not to be outshined by Home Depot’s strong financial results, but hopes turned into missed opportunities Wednesday as Lowe's reported disappointing profit growth.

For the second quarter ended July 31, Lowe’s had earnings of $1.13 billion, up from $1.04 billion in the same quarter last year. On a diluted basis, earnings were $1.20 a share, 4 cents below analysts’ estimates. Home Depot reported a much higher profit on Tuesday.