Finance & Capital Management

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Bi-Lo Holdings, parent company of the Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie grocery store brands, has entered into an agreement to buy three chains from Belgium-based Delhaize Group. Bi-Lo said it would acquire substantially all of the stores in the Sweetbay, Harveys and Reid’s supermarket chains from Delhaize for $265 million in cash.

Cincinnati – As part of its annual Executive Development Program (EDP) and summer internship program, Macy’s Inc. has hired more than 1,000 college students this spring. Hires include 695 recent college graduates for full-time EDP positions, which serve as entry-level executive training positions.

In addition, 325 current college students have been hired for a variety of internships with Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s.

IRVINE, Calif. — Tilly’s comparable store sales for March and April improved over February for the first quarter ended May 4, buoyed partly by the spring break and pre-Easter periods.

The company’s total net sales were $109 million, an increase of 13% from $96,524 for the first quarter ended April 28, 2012. Comparable store sales, which include e-commerce sales, increased 1.1% compared to the first quarter of 2012. E-commerce sales were $12.6 million, an increase of 16% compared to the first quarter of 2012.

Melville, N.Y. -- Sbarro is expanding its international growth with plans to open 20 eateries in Ontario, Canada. This announcement is the latest in a series of franchise agreements that have recently expanded Sbarro's presence across Europe, the Middle East, South America, Asia and the Pacific.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Chico FAS's comparable sales for the first quarter ended May 4 were flat compared to a nearly 10% increase in last year's first quarter, thanks to an unusually cool spring and the cycling of strong comparable sales last year.

New York -- Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. reported better-than-expected net income of $101.1 million, compared with a year-earlier profit of $43.6 million, on strong demand for its products around the globe.

Retail net sales increased 58.8% to $272.7 million driven by a 36.7% increase in comparable store sales and 67 net new store openings since the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012.

Wholesale net sales increased 59.4% to $304.7 million and licensing revenue increased 15.7% to $19.8 million.

Fort Myers, Fla. – Chico's reported a lower-than-expected profit of $51.1 million for the first quarter, excluding non-recurring acquisition and integration costs related to its Boston Proper acquisition, versus a profit of $54 million in year-ago period.

Sales rose 3% to $670.7 million, up 3% from $650.8 million last year. Chico’s, which operates its namesake stores, as well as the Soma Intimates and White House | Black Market chains, attributed much of this boost to the opening of 114 net new stores in the past year.

New York – Anthony Ludru has been named senior VP of North America by Tiffany & Co.

Ledru, 40, has luxury industry experience including with Cartier in Latin America and the U.S., as well as serving as global VP of sales with Harry Winston International.

“As a member of the senior management team, Anthony will drive sales results in our largest region, composed of the United States and Canada, while contributing a key voice to the articulation of the global brand.,” said Tiffany executive VP Frederic Cumenal.