Consumer Affairs & Relations

Woonsocket, R.I. – CVS Caremark is reportedly considering a purchase of Brazilian drugstore chain Drogarias Pacheco São Paulo (DPSP) as it looks to further expand its presence in Brazil, according to news reports.

Following the alleged rejection of its first offer of 4.5 billion Brazilian reais ($2 billion), CVS is reportedly looking to possibly make another offer, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing the local newspaper Valor Economico. DPSP has reportedly set a minimum price for the company at BRL5.9 billion.

Evansville, Ind. – Shoe Carnival Inc. reported a 3% year-over-year drop in net income to $9.2 million, from $9.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. The retailer plans to open 23-28 new stores in fiscal 2014, including 16 in the second quarter and seven-to-12 in the fourth quarter.

Shoe Carnival’s net sales grew 1.5% to $235.8 million, from $232.3 million.

The Lovely Candy Company has expanded its gluten- and GMO-free line with a gluten-free licorice, which it touts as the first gluten-free extruded licorice product in North America.

Branded as Lovely Licorice, the product is marketed to consumers with food sensitivities such as celiac disease. The gluten-free licorice is the brainchild of company founder Mike Nakamura, whose wife has not been able to have licorice because of her gluten-free dietary restraints. Nakamura founded the company in 2013 as a result of her request for licorice she could eat.

Greensboro, N.C. – The Fresh Market Inc. reported decreasing profit in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 even as net sales growth exceeded Wall Street expectations. Net income fell 25% to $16.57 million from $22.12 million in the same period the prior year, while net sales increased 18% to $431 million from $366.63 million and same-store sales climbed 2.5%.

Fresh Market plans to open four new stores in the second quarter and 12 to 13 new stores in the second half of the year, as well as remodel four-to-five stores.

Ross Stores’ board approved a succession plan whereby chief merchandising officer and president Barbara Rentler will become CEO, making her the 25th female chief executive to currently serve at a Fortune 500 company.

Rentler will succeed Michael Balmut, who announced nearly two years ago his intent to step down as CEO on June 1, and become executive chairman. Ross Stores said Balmut will continue to play an integral role on the senior management team.

Overstock.com released a statement lamenting the decision of Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy to delay patent troll litigation reform legislation — the same legislation requested by President Obama and passed by the House of Representatives.

Columbus, Ohio – L Brands had a successful start to fiscal 2014. The company reported a 10% increase in net income to $156.9 million in the first quarter from $142.5 million the first quarter of the previous fiscal year.

Net sales rose 5% to $2.39 billion from $2.27 billion, and same-store sales grew 2% across its retail banners. Higher pretax income and operating income helped boost net income, while especially strong growth in sales at the Victoria’s Secret banner helped drive overall net sales growth.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. posted a 16% drop in first quarter earnings as costs related to its data breach and the company's troubled Canadian operations continue to take a toll on its overall performance. The retailer also cut its annual profit forecast and released a second quarter projection below Street expectations. On a positive note, Target's same-store sales metric improved from the last quarter.