Finance & Capital Management

New York -- Teen retailers had a “less dreadful” holiday selling season than was anticipated. That’s how analysts are tempering the news that banners such as American Eagle Outfitters, Aeropostale and Urban Outfitters posted stronger-than-expected holiday results, released by most on Thursday.

In fact, say industry watchers, the strong sales figures look pretty shiny because they are exaggerated by pre-season low expectations, which were dragged down by fears of aggressive discounting and waning mall traffic.

Stage Stores is reporting a strong holiday sales season despite predictions from the company’s CEO that December would be very challenging for apparel retailers.

The parent company of Beall’s, Goody’s and other stores reported an increase in same store sales of 6.5% for the nine week period ending Jan. 3.

Burnaby, Canada - Canadian financial cooperative Desjardins Group is acquiring both the Best Buy Canada and Future Shop private-label credit card portfolios from Best Buy Canada Ltd. Along with the two branded credit card portfolios, Desjardins will also be acquiring most outstanding loans and client accounts.

In addition, all Best Buy Canada and Future Shop stores nationwide will offer Desjardins' Accord D financing, a product to finance in-store purchases.

An improvement in delinquency rates helped Conn’s in December, as the company reported an 11.5% increase in total net sales.

Conn’s total sales, which the company reported at $132.4 million, were impacted approximately 7% by tighter consumer finance underwriting, the company said, which was implemented in response to rising credit delinquencies and defaults. The action improved 60-plus-day delinquency rates in December by 30 basis points over November, the company reported. The company also said same store sales edged up only 0.5% due to plummeting tablet demand.

New York – Aeropostale did not deliver strong holiday sales in 2014. Total net sales for the nine-week period ended Jan. 3, 2015 decreased 11% to $507.8 million, down 11% from $572 million in the 2013 holiday season

Same-store sales, including the e-commerce channel, decreased 9%. The company said profit margins during the holiday period were higher than expected and same-store sales were within original guidance for the quarter.
 

Dollar Tree and Dollar General shareholders may be wondering why the boards of their respective companies are so intent on acquiring Family Dollar after seeing the takeover target’s first quarter results.

Pittsburgh – Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. is reportedly considering the step of taking itself private. According to Reuters, Dick’s is in the preliminary stages of conversations with several buyout firms.

However, there is currently no formal plan to sell the company and Dick’s may not ultimately move forward with the plan. In the third quarter of fiscal 2014, Dick’s reported a 9% increase in net sales but 2% drop in net income. The company declined to comment.

Pacific Sunwear said it will lose less money in the fourth quarter than originally expected after its California lifestyle product assortment resonated with holiday shoppers and drove a 9% same store sales increase.