Finance & Capital Management

Trenton, N.J. -- Amazon.com is contemplating opening two warehouses in New Jersey and is seeking a 22-month sales-tax holiday as part of the deal, according to reports by the Associated Press and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Amazon is not required, as brick-and-mortar retailers are, to collect the 7% state sales tax for purchases. If it acquires a physical presence in New Jersey by opening warehouses, it would have to collect taxes.

Armonk, N.Y. -- An analysis released Thursday by IBM projected that retail sales are positioned for increases across a broad spectrum of categories.

According to the study, the surge will be led by a projected 8.2% rise in men’s apparel sales.

“The forecast of men’s apparel sales reflects a growing trend: men are definitely developing a taste for fashion – especially in business attire,” said Jill Puleri, global retail leader for IBM Global Business Services.

New York City -- The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index, released Thursday, continued downward in January and consumer spending will face additional economic headwinds in 2012, according to Deloitte. The Index tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending.

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters reported Thursday that sales for the fourth quarter, ended Jan. 31, rose 9% to $731 million.

Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market Inc. reported Wednesday that profit for the first quarter rose a better-than-expected 33% to $118.3 million amid increased customer visits and higher prices on select items. On a follow-up conference call with analysts, the chain revealed it has 69 new stores in development, or 2.4 million square feet, in development.

New York City -- Barneys New York is in discussions with its lenders about restructuring, Crain’s New York reported. Barneys, which operates nine namesake stores and 17 Co-op locations, is owned by Istithmar World, the investment arm of government owned Dubai World.

“Barneys New York is actively engaged in discussions with the company's small group of lenders to improve its balance sheet and further position Barneys New York for sustainable, long-term growth and success,” said a Barneys spokeswoman in a statement.

New York City -- Glimcher Realty Trust announced the completion of a 4.8-megawatt rooftop solar system at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, N.J. The project, which ranks among the largest rooftop systems in North America, broke ground in June 2011 and began producing power this week.

I love some of the quotes that came out of this year’s Finance Forum, held in late January in Manhattan. The annual gathering of retail industry executives, suppliers and consultants has a reputation for lively chatter and it didn’t disappoint this year, thanks largely to J. Crew Group chairman and CEO Millard “Mickey” Drexler. The veteran — and notoriously outspoken — retailer wasn’t on the formal panel, but he had a few choice remarks to say from the audience during a question-and-answer session.

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS Caremark Corp.'s fourth-quarter earnings rose nearly 4% to $1.06 billion, amid increased pharmacy services revenue because of a long-term contract and new business. The company raised its 2012 earnings forecast by 3 cents per share to account for gains it expects because of a contract dispute between Walgreens and Express Scripts Inc.

Net revenues for the quarter increased 15.2% to a record $28.3 billion. Drugstore revenue increased 4%. Same-store sales were up 2.5%.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts announced the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement with a newly formed subsidiary of Sizzling Platter, LLC (Sizzling Donuts, LLC) for 11 new restaurants in Denver, and eight in El Paso, Texas.

The company also acquired two additional existing restaurants in El Paso.