Finance & Capital Management

Seattle – Starbucks Coffee Company reported generally strong performance in the second quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to the same period a year earlier. Earnings per share rose 10% to $0.56, from $0.51.

Consolidated net revenues grew 9% to $3.87 billion from $3.55 billion, while consolidated same-store sales increased 6%.

The retailer cited its Teavana business, partnership with Oprah Winfrey, and new payment and loyalty technology as all contributing to overall fiscal growth.

Safeway posted sales of $8.3 billion in the first quarter of 2014, representing an increase of 1%. The slight uptick in sales was primarily attributed to an identical-store sales (excluding fuel) increase of 1.8%, partly offset by lower fuel sales in 2014.

The identical-store sales (excluding fuel) increase of 1.8% consists of a 1% increase in price per item and a 0.8% increase in volume. Safeway's share of sales in all outlet channels increased slightly, and sales to its most loyal households improved during the quarter.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin’ Brands Group, parent to Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, said its banners were impacted by tough weather in the first quarter, with U.S. comparable store sales growth of just 1.2%. Net income for the quarter dipped 3.5% from $23.8 million to $23 million. Revenue rose 6.2%.

Overstock.com promoted Seth Marks to SVP of merchandising and strategic sourcing. The promotion was in conjunction with the online shopping site’s first-quarter results for the period ended March 31.

Marks has been with the company since 2013, serving as VP of sales and special acquisitions.

"Seth brings a wealth of experience to this position from his previous work in liquidation and retail channel markets. He continually makes great contributions in securing the best deals for our customers," CEO Patrick M. Byrne said.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. cut some stock awards and reduced outgoing CEO Mike Duke’s compensation package 73% to $5.6 million in 2013, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Last year, Duke didn't get stock awards that are given in anticipation of future performance, and his performance-based bonus was reduced, resulting in a compensation package worth about $5.6 million including a base salary of $1.4 million and a performance-based bonus of $2.8 million for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31.

Former Walmart CEO Lee Scott and Audit Committee chairman Christopher Williams leave some big shoes to fill when they step down from the retailer’s board in June.

Pleasanton, Calif. – Safeway reported a net loss of $76.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to net earnings of $118.9 million in the same period a year earlier. The company is working toward closing its $9.4 billion merger with Albertson’s by the fourth quarter of the current fiscal year.

With net revenues soaring 36% in the first quarter to $642 million from $472 million in the prior year's period, Under Armour is off to a strong start in 2014. In conjunction with its financial results, the company also opened its newest specialty retail location in SoHo, in New York.