Finance & Capital Management

Chico's FAS blamed the holiday calendar and a volatile stock market for its disappointing financial results in the third quarter.

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The narrative is a familiar one: the scourge of online sales, encroaching ominously on brick-and-mortar market share, continues to siphon sales and transform the retail industry into an increasingly virtual landscape. Over the last few years, nearly every retail sales drop or unexpectedly poor performance has been laid at the feet of the Internet.

The growth streak at Citi Trends came to a halt in the third quarter, as the urban retailer posted a drop in same store sales.

For the third quarter ended Oct. 31, same store sales decreased 0.5%. Net income was $0.6 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $(2.2) million, or $(0.15) per diluted share, in last year’s third quarter. 

Dollar Tree’s third quarter results weren’t as strong as the prior year, but all is well with the integration of Family Dollar and CEO Bob Sasser contends the combined company is well-positioned for the holidays.

Total sales increased 136% to $4.95 billion during the quarter ended Oct. 31, from $2.1 billion in the prior year’s third quarter. The surge in sales reflects the first full quarter in which sales from Family Dollar stores are included in results. Dollar Tree completed its acquisition of Family Dollar on July 6 creating a retailer with 13,600 stores.

The CEO of Burlington Stores Inc. says the off-price retailer is poised for more growth after reporting an increase in earnings and same store sales for the third quarter.

Millions of people worldwide will be surprised and delighted to receive a little blue box this holiday season, but a strong U.S.

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