Finance & Capital Management

New York – Ralph Lauren Corporation reported increases in sales and net income during both fourth quarter and the full year of fiscal 2013. Quarterly retail sales rose 7% from $752 million to $804 million, while annual retail sales rose 6% from $3.4 billion to $3.6 billion. Ralph Lauren attributed both the fourth quarter and full year retail sales improvement to incremental contribution from new stores and e-commerce operations, as well as consolidated comparable store sales growth of 3%.

CAMDEN, N.J. — Campbell Soup Company has entered into an agreement to acquire Plum Organics, a provider of premium, organic foods and snacks that serve the nutritional needs of babies, toddlers and children. 

The company is based in Emeryville, Calif. Plum is the No. 2 brand of organic baby food in the U.S. and is currently the No. 4 baby food brand overall. Baby food is an approximately $2 billion category in the United States. From 2010 to 2012, the premium and organic segments grew at an average annual rate of 43%.

New York -- A Thursday report by Bloomberg said that U.S. consumer confidence for the week ended May 19 advanced, indicating that Americans’ outlook on the economy is optimistic.

The weekly Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index increased to minus 29.4 from minus 30.2 the prior week. A measure of personal finances was positive for a sixth consecutive week, the longest stretch in more than five years, according to Bloomberg.

Ace Hardware reported first-quarter revenues of $923.2 million, up 1.7% from the same quarter in 2012. Net income of $4.4 million was down from $10.2 million earned in 2012.

Kearney, Neb. -- The Buckle reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended May 4 fell slightly to $37.6 million, compared with $37.8 million in the year-ago period. Results were impacted by higher operating expenses.

Revenue increased 2.3% to $269.7 million from $263.8 million, and same-store sales edged up 1.2%.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s has made a $250,000 cash donation to the American Red Cross, toward tornado relief efforts in Moore, Okla., and the surrounding area. The American Red Cross is delivering emergency supplies and services to the tornado-impacted areas.

Charlotte, N.C. – Specialty women’s apparel and accessories retailer Cato Corp. reported declining sales and net income during first quarter 2013. Sales dropped 2% from $272.8 million to $267.2 million, while net income fell 3% from $31.7 million to $30.8 million. Same-store sales also declined compared to the same quarter a year earlier, by 5%.

Chesapeake, Va. – Dollar Tree reported record net sales for first quarter 2013, with consolidated net sales of $1.87 billion, an 8% increase from $1.72 billion during the same quarter of the prior year. Net income totaled $133.5 million, and same store sales grew 2.1%, on top of a 5.6% increase recorded during first quarter 2012. Dollar Tree estimates full fiscal year net sales will range from $7.81 billion to $7.97 billion.

Dollar Tree president and CEO Bob Sasser said he is pleased with the first quarter results.