Finance & Capital Management

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores reported mostly negative financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2013. Net earnings fell about 12% to $7.69 million, from $8.76 million.

A 2% decrease in same-store sales and unfavorable calendar shift due to the 53rd week in fiscal 2012 offset slight growth in net sales to $561.1 million from $556.9 million.

Sears Holdings' plan to spin off Lands' End may have gotten all the attention on Friday, but the retailer’s former hometown and outlet stores division shared results showing how it has fared after receiving similar treatment a year earlier.

The Westfield Group has agreed to purchase the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s remaining 50% interest in the World Trade Center’s retail square footage. The purchase price is US$800 million. Following the transaction, expected to close early next year, Westfield will own 100% of the retail space, which totals 365,000 sq. ft.

Fort Worth, Texas — Trademark Property Co. and Zapolski Real Estate LLC have announced a joint venture to lead the $25 million redevelopment, now underway, of Napa Center, a 153,000-sq.-ft. retail and hospitality district in the heart of downtown Napa, Calif.

Chad Kessler was named chief merchandising and design officer at American Eagle Outfitters after the company reported a big decline in third-quarter profits and said it expects fourth quarter same-store sales to decline.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. — In a not-so-unexpected move, Sears Holdings Corp. on Friday said it had filed to spin off its Lands' End unit.

Sears has been selling or spinning off assets during the past few years as it struggles to turn around its business. The company sold its Orchard Supply Hardware Stores and its Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores businesses last year. In October, Sears said it would consider strategic alternatives for its line of auto centers. Sears also is selling some store leases in Canada.

Canadian dollar-store operator Dollarama reported an increase in sales and an improvement in net earnings for the third quarter ended Nov. 3. The quarter was characterized by continued growth in the store network and solid comparable store sales growth.

Sales for the quarter increased by 14.2% to $522.9 million from $458 million in the year-ago period. The increase was driven, in part, by the growth in the number of stores in the past 12 months, from 761 stores on Oct. 28, 2012 to 847 stores on Nov. 3, 2013.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. – Dollar General delivered some impressive financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 as traffic improved and shoppers spent more per transaction on average. The retailer said it plans to open approximately 700 stores in fiscal 2014 and remodel or relocate approximately 525 locations, expanding store selling square footage by 6% to 7%.

Dollar General’s net income increased by a better-than-expected 14% to $237 million in the 2013 third quarter compared to $208 million in year-ago period.