Finance & Capital Management

Costco Wholesale Corp. reported its first quarterly decline in same store sales since 2009, although profit at the club store did rise.

Same store sales declined 1% in the third quarter ended May 10, including fuel and foreign currency impacts. This was below the 0.7% growth expected by analysts. The company said sales were hurt by low gas prices and a stronger dollar that reduced the value of sales from overseas markets.

New marketing efforts at Express appear to be resonating with customers, as the retailer posted a strong first quarter performance.

Hudson's Bay Company has appointed a former Toys”R”Us executive and Target veteran as chief of human resources.

Dan Caspersen will be responsible for leading the human resources function across the company, and report directly into the office of the chairman, the company said.

Higher prices for generic drugs contributed to a net loss of $29,000 for Fred's in the first quarter.

The integration of Zales helped Signet Jewelers turn i a robust financial performance in the first quarter.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.'s revitalization efforts appear to be paying off, as the teen retailer says same store sales are rapidly improving.

In what has become a familiar industry tale, the Belk department store chain’s investments in omnichannel drove first quarter sales growth but negatively affected profits.

ULTA Beauty is that rare breed of retailer capable of exceeding ever loftier growth expectations and it did so again with the release of first quarter results on May 28.

ULTA reported that net sales increased 21.6% to $868.1 million from $713.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. Same store sales increased 11.4% compared to an increase of 8.7% in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. The 11.4% same store sales increase was driven by 7.2% growth in transactions and 4.2% growth in average ticket. 

The Walmart shareholders meeting is next week and while the event is great for the retailer’s associates, suppliers looking for deeper insight into new priorities and key initiatives will be better served by attending a more content rich event the following week.

That’s when the Center for Retailing Excellence in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas plans to hold its annual Emerging Trends in Retail conference. The event, scheduled for Thursday, June 11, is especially noteworthy for several reasons this year.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart and the attorney for comedian/actor Tracy Morgan have reached a settlement agreement, ending a civil lawsuit related to a crash on the New Jersey Turnpike last June. The terms and conditions of the settlement with Morgan and the other plaintiffs remain confidential.