Finance & Capital Management

While other retailers try to hone their social media and omnichannel skills, Victoria's Secret is creating excitement once again the way it knows best: by announcing a new team of crystal-decorated, 6-inch-heel wearing models.

The National Retail Federation issued a statement Wednesday supporting patent reform legislation seeking to protect retailers and other businesses from overly litigious patent trolls.

Seattle – Amazon.com is launching yet another new marketplace. Amazon Business provides access to hundreds of millions of products, as well as business-only selection and pricing.

Amazon Business customers will also receive free two-day shipping on tens of millions of eligible items, multi-user business accounts, custom spending approval workflows, integration with third-party procurement solutions, automated tracking of tax exemptions, dedicated customer support, order tracking, and corporate credit options.

Minneapolis – Net earnings at Supervalu Inc. fell 14% to $36 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 from $42 million in the identical period a year earlier. Higher selling and administrative expenses, including store closure and benefit costs, helped reduce profits.

Carle Place, N.Y. – Net loss at 1-800-Flowers.com Inc. grew to $10.81 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 from $1.74 million in the same quarter the prior year. Higher operating expenses in areas including marketing and sales and technology and development helped boost net loss.

Minneapolis – Brian Cornell, CEO of Target Corp., reportedly received total compensation of $28.2 million in 2014. According to the Wall Street Journal, that figure includes $14 million in “make-whole” compensation he was paid for leaving his previous position as CEO of PepsiCo in August 2014.

Cornell also received a prorated salary of $595,000 from Target, among other compensation.

Matthews, N.C. - Family Dollar Stores Inc. has announced the passing of Mark R. Bernstein, a member of the company's board of directors, on April 27. Bernstein was among Family Dollar’s longest tenured board members, having joined the board in 1980.

Bernstein most recently served as lead director from 2004 to January 2013.

Coppell, Texas – Higher selling, general and administrative (SG&A expenses) helped drive down net income at The Container Store Inc. during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, and the retailer expects open nine new stores and relocate one store during fiscal 2015. The Container Store reported net income of $13 million, down 29% from $18.3 million in the same quarter the prior year.

Net sales totaled $224.26 million, up 3% from $216.82 million. Same-store sales dropped 0.8%.

New York - Shareholders for Change at The Children's Place, an activist investor group led by Macellum Advisors GP LLC and Barington Capital Group L.P., has filed a detailed investor presentation with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The presentation supports the election of two board of directors nominees, Seth R. Johnson and Robert L. Mettler, at the upcoming 2015 annual meeting.

Plano, Texas – Rent-A-Center Inc. reported stable profit during the first quarter of fiscal 2015. The retailer’s net income totaled $27.3 million, up 1% from $27.26 million in the same quarter a year earlier.

Consolidated total revenues climbed 6% to $877.64 million, from $828.47 million. Same-store sales rose 8%.