Finance & Capital Management

New York -- The Fresh Market announced the resignation of Randy Kelley as SVP real estate and development. Kelley, who is leaving the grocer, to pursue a new business opportunity, will remain with the company through early spring.

Issaquah, Wash. -- Costco Wholesale Corp posted a better-than expected 39% increase in quarterly profit, helped by increasing sales and a rise in membership fees.

Net income was $547 million in the fiscal second quarter ended on Feb. 17, compared with $394 million a year ago.

Dick’s Sporting Goods fell three cents short of analysts’ profit forecast in the fourth quarter thanks to a 1.2% same store sales increase partially caused by unseasonably warm weather and soft sales of big ticket items.

Sales for the 14 week period ended February 2, increased 12% to $1.8 billion compared to the 13 week period the prior year. The company’s consolidated same store sales increase of 1.2% was driven by a 54.2% increase in online sales, offset by a 2.2% decrease at Dick's Sporting Goods stores and a 1.3% increase at Golf Galaxy stores.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix on Friday named four new officer positions effective April 1. The new officer positions are in corporate purchasing and manufacturing, the grocer reported. 

“I am very proud that we continue to have talented associates who are ready to assume higher leadership roles in our organization,” stated Publix CEO Ed Crenshaw. “Our ability to promote from within is one of the ways we are able to perpetuate our Publix culture.”

The board of directors of the General Electric Company nominated former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Mary Schapiro to serve on its board.

Schapiro will stand for election at GE’s annual meeting on April 24, the company said.

ATLANTA — The Coca-Cola Company and IFC (International Finance Corporation), a member of the World Bank Group, have formed a $100 million, three-year joint initiative to provide access to finance for women entrepreneurs in Eurasia and Africa.

NEW YORK — Foot Locker's fourth quarter profit rose to $104 million from $81 million a year earlier.

Sales jumped 14% to $1.71 billion, including the benefit of an extra week. Same-store sales rose 7.9%.

For fiscal year 2012, which included 53 weeks, the company reported net income of $397 million, compared to $278 million a year earlier.

Total sales increased 9.9% in 2012 to $6.182 million, compared with sales of $5.623 million last year. Same-store sales were up 9.4% in 2012.

HOUSTON — Fashion accessories retailer Charming Charlie announced that Tom Fitzgerald has joined the company as EVP, CAO and CFO.

"We are confident that Tom's vision and specialty retail experience will bring tremendous value to our company as we continue to be the leading fashion accessories destination," said Charlie Chanaratsopon, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of charming charlie. "Tom is not only a leader in finance; he is a balanced and strategic business executive whose background will complement us well."

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters reported net income of $83 million for the fourth quarter ended January 31, 2013, up from $39.26 million in the year-ago period, on strong same-store sales and higher revenue.

Total company net sales for the quarter increased 17% to $857 million. Comparable retail segment net sales, which include comparable direct-to-consumer channel, increased 11% for the quarter, while comparable store net sales were flat.

New York -- Barnes & Noble Inc. signed an employment agreement with CEO William Lynch to remain in his post for another two years, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Lynch will receive the same compensation and benefits as before, but get an additional cash bonus of $1.8 million for his role in attracting investments from Microsoft Corp. and Pearson PLC in forming Nook Media LLC, according to a Reuters report.