Finance & Capital Management

Mexico City -- Multiple reports on Wednesday revealed that Wal-Mart Stores’ Mexican arm has been leveled with new allegations concerning tax evasion and money-laundering schemes.

The accusations against Walmex were outlined in a letter by U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman, sent Tuesday to Wal-Mart CEO Michael Duke and suggesting that the company “"may have had compliance issues relating not only to bribery, but also to 'questionable financial behavior' including tax evasion and money laundering in Mexico."

Phoenix -- PetSmart reported Wednesday that net income for the second quarter surged 31% to $79 million, from $61 million in the year-ago period.

Sales advanced 9% to $1.6 billion, and same-store sales grew 7.0%.

“Our performance in the second quarter was due to strength across all three merchandising categories, as well as across services,” said Bob Moran, chairman and CEO.
 

New York -- The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index, released on Wednesday, decreased slightly in July, marking the first decline since February 2012. 

The Index tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending.

City of Industry, Calif. -- Hot Topic reported Wednesday a loss of $800,000 for the second quarter, tightened from a $6.2 million loss in the prior-year quarter.

Revenue rose 4.6% to $157.8 million compared with $150.9 million, and same-store sales increased 3.9%.
 

Savannah, Ga. -- Despite narrowing its loss in the second quarter from $10 million to $7.9 million this quarter, Citi Trends still missed Wall Street expectations.
 
Revenue edged up 2% to $132.3 million, which also missed analysts’ forecast. Wall Street expected sales of $133.9 million.
 
Same-store sales slipped 4%.
 

Chelmsford, Mass. -- Kronos Inc. said Wednesday that Hispanic department store chain Curacao is using a comprehensive workforce management solution from Kronos to control labor costs and improve customer satisfaction.

Curacao’s previous manual and dispersed workforce management solutions have been automated and standardized with the Kronos time and attendance, forecasting and scheduling, and HR applications from Kronos. The new system also integrates seamlessly with the retailer’s enterprise-wide payroll system.

Peoria, Ill. -- Cullinan Properties announced that Kellie Schmidt has been named corporate marketing manager for the company, charged with overseeing Cullinan’s brand presence, in addition to creating and executing marketing and communication strategies.

Peoria, Ill. -- Cullinan Properties, developer of the East Peoria Downtown shopping center, hosted a ceremonial ‘Steel Raising’ event last week to mark the development of the Peoria project.

Joining Target and Costco at the center will be Ulta Beauty with an 11,000-sq.-ft. store adjacent to Target, and Gordmans, which has leased a 50,000-sq.-ft. space slated to open in early 2013.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. reported Wednesday that profit for the second quarter remained essentially flat at $704 million.

Sales advanced 3.5% to $16.45 million, boosted by a 3.1% same-store sales rise in the quarter but missed Wall Street’s expected $16.75 million in revenue.

New Albany, Ohio -- Abercrombie & Fitch reported Wednesday that net income in the second quarter slid 52% to $15.5 million, compared with $32 million in the year-ago period.

Total sales rose 4% to $951.4 million, missing Wall Street’s forecast of $954.9 million, and U.S. sales fell 5%. The retailer said Wednesday it is cutting its 2012 earnings guidance and will open fewer international Hollister stores in fiscal 2012 than initially planned.