Finance & Capital Management

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General reported record sales, operating profit and net income for its second quarter ended Aug. 2, driven, in part, by the company’s newly introduced tobacco products and strong sales of perishables and candy and snacks.

The company’s net income increased 15% to $245 million in the quarter, from $214 million in the year-ago quarter, and earnings per diluted share of $0.75 in the quarter increased 17% over EPS of $0.64 in the year-ago quarter. 

Atlanta -- Small businesses are optimistic with regards to the upcoming holiday season, with 41% of businesses expecting a much stronger holiday season in 2013 than 2012, according to a survey by Kabbage, an online provider of working capital.

Small businesses also plan to increase their borrowing for the remainder of 2013 in order to meet the robust demand, the survey reported.  

Other key findings from the survey include:

The world’s largest digital coupon marketplace, RetailMeNot.com, has introduced new functionality and platform integration capabilities to its popular service with the launch of version 3.0 of its iOS and Android coupons app.

New York -- The Kroger Co. will stop providing health insurance benefits for spouses on January 1, 2014, according to a recent agreement with several unions, Indiana Public Media reported.

Chicago — C. Michelle Panovich, principal and executive VP, Mid-America Asset Management will receive the Lifetime Industry Leadership Award at the 12th annual Real Estate Gala hosted by the Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate at Roosevelt University. The event will take place on Nov. 7.

Christopher G. Kennedy, chairman of Joseph P. Kennedy Enterprises, will keynote the event, which draws more than 400 attendees annually and benefits Roosevelt’s real estate program.

New York -- Brinker International chairman Doug Brooks and First Horizon National Corp. CEO Bryan Jordan were elected to the AutoZone board of directors.

The addition of Brooks and Jordan give AutoZone a total of 11 board members. The company is due to report fourth quarter financial results on Sept. 25.

Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores saw net income for the second quarter drop to $9.1 million from $21.1 million a year earlier, due, in part, to expenses associated with its spinoff from Sears Holdings Corp, according to the company.

These results come a little more than a week after Sears Holdings saw revenues decrease to $8.9 billion for the quarter from $9.5 billion for the year-ago quarter. Fewer Kmart and Sears full-line stores accounted for approximately $210 million of that decline.

Brisbane, Calif. -- Bebe Stores Inc. reported a loss for its fourth quarter amid weaker sales and markdowns.

The apparel chain posted a loss of $20.8 million for the three-month period ended July 6, compared with net income of $3 million in the fourth quarter last year.

Bebe's total revenue edged down to $119.2 million, from $131.5 million.