Finance & Capital Management

Grapevine, Texas -- GameStop Corp. on Thursday reported a second-quarter profit of $24.6 million, up from $10.5 million in the year ago period.

Revenue rose 25% to a better-than-expected $1.73 billion, helped by new game releases as well as solid sales of gaming hardware.

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit and sales and raised its full-year profit forecast, helped by strong sales at Old Navy.

Net profit rose to $332 million in the second quarter ended Aug. 2, from $303 million a year ago.

Atlanta -- The Home Depot on Thursday named Craig Menear, president of the chain's U.S. retail business, as CEO and president, effective Nov. 1. Menear succeeds chairman and CEO Frank Blake.  Blake, who has held the top spot since 2007, will remain chairman.

Menear, who was also elected to the company's board of directors, effectively immediately, assumed his current position in February 2014. He is a 34-year retail veteran, and has been a key leader in the company's success, the retailer said.

Houston -- Stage Stores, Inc. reported net income of $11.2 million for the second quarter, compared with $9.6 million last year.

Total sales were $377 million. Same-store sales decreased 4.2%.

“We found the second quarter to be challenging, but we were encouraged that our sales trend improved towards the end of the quarter,” said Michael Glazer, CEO. “We expect improved second half results given our sales driving initiatives.”

Charlotte, N.C. -- The Cato Corporation reported that net income rose 6% to $15.7 million for the second quarter ended Aug. 2, from $14.8 million last year.

Sales increased 6% to $243.8 million, from $229.4 million last year. Same-store sales increased 3%.

"Second quarter same-store sales were in line with our year-to-date trend," said John Cato, CEO. "However, we continue to expect the second half earnings per diluted share will be within our original guidance range.”

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart Inc. reported net income of $1.7 million for the second quarter, reduced from $3.4 million last year on higher healthcare costs.

Total sales increased 2.5% to $298.2 million, while same-store sales increased 1.3%, the retailer’s ninth consecutive quarter of comparable store sales gains.

Seattle -- Seattle-based architecture and design firm Callison said it will be acquired by Arcadis, a global design consultancy firm based in the Netherlands.

The transaction is slated to be completed in the third quarter of 2014. Arcadis also owns architectural design firm RTKL, built asset consultancy firm EC Harris, and Asian construction program planning and value management consultancy Langdon & Seah.

Seattle -- Outdoor gear and apparel retailer REI has promoted Eric Artz, CFO, the additional role COO), and Susan Viscon, VP merchandising, to senior VP merchandising.

By Michael Hirschfeld, senior VP of JLL’s National Retail Tenant Services

Orlando, Fla. -- JLL’s Capital Markets experts announced the firm has closed the sale of Lake Washington Crossing on behalf of WSRI-SRP Lake Washington, LLC.

Baltimore-based Philips Edison Group, LLC, purchased the 118,698-sq.-ft. grocery-anchored shopping center, located near Florida’s ocean coast, in the town of Melbourne.

Managing Directors Kris Cooper, Margaret Caldwell and Carson Good led the JLL team on the transaction.