Finance & Capital Management

Specialty retailer Francesca’s says its third-quarter sales show initiatives such as reducing inventories and enhancing assortments are producing results ahead of a new growth strategy for the company.

For the third quarter ended Oct. 31, the company posted a net income of $6.95 million, down 4.4% from a year earlier, and earnings of 16 cents per diluted share, down 1 cent from the third quarter of 2014. Net sales were up 19% from one year ago, to $103.7 million. Same-store sales rose 4%.

Virginia, Beach, Va. -- Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust announced it has appointed John McAuliffe to the company's board of directors, effective Dec. 2. McAuliffe returns to the company's board of directors after having previously served from November 2012 until April 2013. McAuliffe has over 36 years' experience in the financial services industry. In April 2013, he resigned from the company's board of directors to focus his efforts on investment banking with Newbridge Securities Corporation.

The National Retail Federation called on Congress to reject a customs reauthorization bill set for a vote this week unless it includes a provision allowing states to require online merchants to collect sales tax the same as local stores.

A decline in traffic at Jos. A. Banks stores weighed heavily on Men's Wearhouse in the third quarter, forcing the company to consider store closures and job cuts.

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- CBL & Associates Properties announced that it has completed the sale of Mayfaire Community Center for $56.3 million to Principal Real Estate Investors.

Mayfaire Community Center is the 210,000-sq.-ft. center located in Wilmington, North Carolina, which CBL acquired in June of 2015. CBL will be providing leasing and management services for the new owners.

While athleisure apparel is still quite trendy these days, the creator of the trend, Lululemon Athletica, is struggling to grow profits as competitors threaten its value proposition.

For the third quarter ended Nov. 1, the company posted a profit of $53.2 million, or 38 cents a share, down from $60.5 million, or 42 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue rose 14% to $479.8 million. Same store sales rose 6% for the second quarter in a row on a constant-currency basis.

While same-store sales at Dollar General and Dollar Tree have decelerated of late, that is not the case with Canada’s largest dollar store operator which recently opened its 1,000th location.

The CEO of Ollie’s Bargain Outlet says the company’s recent IPO contributed to another strong quarter of merchandise margin and sales growth.

For the third quarter ended Oct. 31, the value retailer said same store sales increased 3.2%. Total net sales increased 16.4% to $174.6 million. Net income increased 39.4% to $6.8 million, or $0.11 per diluted share.