Finance & Capital Management

Matthews, N.C. -- Harris Teeter plans to expand its presence in existing markets, the company said in its third-quarter earnings release.

New York -- Samsonite International is acquiring high-end luggage and leather goods firm Hartmann from Clarion Capital Partners for $35 million.

“The Hartmann brand is an important addition to our portfolio and gives us the ability to successfully expand our presence in the global luxury luggage section,” stated Tim Parker, chairman and CEO, Samsonite.
 

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreen Co. said that its same-store sales fell 7% in July as its split with Express Scripts continued to hurt its top line. (The two companies last month reached an agreement to resume doing business, but that doesn't start until Sept. 15.)

The company's pharmacy same-store sales were down 9.7%, while front end sales fell 2.4%. The performance missed analyst expectations.
 

Dallas -- Kathleen Mason, former president and CEO of Tuesday Morning Corp., has filed disability discrimination charges against the retailer, alleging she was removed after disclosing to the board that she was battling breast cancer.

"The board's attitude toward Kathleen changed after it learned of her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment,’ said attorney Roger Dunn, of Clouse Dunn Dunn LLP, Dallas, who is representing Mason, in a statement on Friday.

MINNEAPOLIS — July same-store sales at Target increased 3.1%, in line with the company’s guidance.

Target credited an increase in average transaction size as the primary driver of a 3.1% same-store sales increase during the July reporting period. An increase in the number of transactions also contributed to a 3.1% gain that was in-line with the company’s guidance for a low to mid single digit increase on top of a July 2011 increase of 4.1%.

PLEASANTON, Calif. and FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Retailers of discounted apparel should feel pretty good heading into back-to-school season, as shown by the strong monthly performance of Ross Stores and TJX Cos. With both delivering another month of comps growth, it’s clear value-oriented stores remain popular with consumers.

Sales at Ross increased 12% to $709 million for the month, up from $635 million for same period last year. Comparable-store sales for the month grew 7% on top of a 7% increase last year.

NEW YORK — Many retailers reported better-than-expected results in July as warm weather and clearance sales drew shoppers into stores. Thomson Reuters reported that three-quarters of retailers reported results beat expectations. Costco Wholesale Corp., Target Corp., Limited Brands and Gap Inc. all reported gains above expectations.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — NewBrandAnalytics , a global leader in social market intelligence, has appointed two celebrated names in the world of business service software – Kristin Muhlner and Barton Phillips.
 
Muhlner was named CEO and was appointed to the company's board of directors to serve alongside investment giants, New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and Revolution LLC. Muhlner brings to NewBrandAnalytics 20 years of expertise in building mission critical technology solutions used by Fortune 500 companies.
 

INDIANAPOLIS — Hhgregg's first quarter loss widened to $5.7 million, or 16 cents per diluted share, from a loss of $0.8 million, or 2 cents per diluted share, for the comparable prior year period, thanks to same-store sales decline of 5.1% and increased expenses.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — OfficeMax reported net income of $10.7 million for the second quarter, besting Wall Street predictions and representing a strong turnaround from last year’s $3 million loss stemming from store closures and severance expenses.
 
Revenue for the quarter slipped 2.7% to $1.6 billion, missing analysts’ forecasted $1.64 billion in revenue. The office supply retailer said it will reinstate its quarterly common stock dividend, which it suspended more than three years ago.