Finance & Capital Management

Rite Aid said higher prescription sales and stronger cost control helped the drugstore chain report a profit surge for the fourth quarter.

Jackson, Miss. – Newk’s Eatery is planning franchise growth in new markets stretching across the South. Expansion will occur in markets including Savannah, Georgia and Orlando, Florida, to Lubbock and Midland-Odessa, Texas, with Washington, D.C, Richmond and Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Virginia, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Oklahoma City in between.

Japanese retailer Uniqlo's U.S. expansion is picking up speed as the company prepares to open its first-ever stores in the Seattle, Denver and Washington, D.C.

A 38-year Kroger employee who started out in the company bagging groceries at a Cincinnati area store has been promoted to president.

Camp Hill, Pa. – Rite Aid Corp. beat Wall Street expectations with soaring profit in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. The retailer reported net income of $1.83 billion, exponentially larger than net income of $55.4 million in the same quarter a year earlier.

A favorable tax asset valuation drove the substantial profit growth. Revenues rose 4% to $6.8 billion from $6.6 billion, mostly due to a same-store sales increase of 4.5%.

Bed Bath & Beyond indicated in its fourth quarter earnings report that it may be joining Walmart and other retailers with plans to increase wages.

The company said it is lowering its 2015 earnings guidance due to "an increase in investments in compensation and benefits in 2015 beyond those historically planned."

Walmart is beginning to raise wages for workers in several states as part of its employee initiative for fiscal 2015.

99 Cents Only Stores is accelerating its expansion plan with several new stores planned for 2015.

The retailer just opened nearly 10 new stores this week in California, and plans to open more later this year.

The company says it will celebrate its store openings this week in California by selling flat screen LCD TVs for only 99 cents to the first nine customers in line on Grand Opening Day. The next 99 customers in line on opening day may purchase an iron for only 99 cents. Other 99 cent deals will follow for additional customers.