Finance & Capital Management

New York -- Deloitte reported Friday that its Consumer Spending Index rose sharply in October, primarily due to the significant increase in new home prices.

The Index tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending.

NEW YORK — Avon Products has appointed Patricia Perez-Ayala as SVP, CMO and global brand and category president, effective Dec. 3. In her new role, Perez-Ayala will report to Sheri McCoy, Avon's CEO, and will join the company's executive committee.
 

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports reported Friday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 27 climbed 18.8% to $19 million, compared with $16 million in the year-ago period.

Sales rose 9.6% to $202.9 million, and same-store sales increased 6.4%.

The sporting goods retailer said it is on track to open 57 to 60 new stores in fiscal 2013, expand approximately 17 high-performing stores, and close up to 18 stores.

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Sean John Corporate has named Jeff Tweedy as the fashion brand’s new president, effective immediately. Tweedy will report directly to Sean John chairman and founder Sean "Diddy" Combs, and will be responsible for all aspects of the company's operations, including strategic brand development, design and all the Sean John licensing and retail partners.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores Inc. reported Thursday that net income rose 10.8% to $159.5 million in the third quarter, compared with $144 million a year earlier.

Revenue rose 10.6% to $2.26 billion, missing Wall Street’s expected $2.34 billion in revenue. Same-store sales climbed 5%.

The retailer has reaffirmed its guidance for the fourth quarter.

A 2.9% third quarter same store sales increase and the sale of its credit card business pushed Target’s third quarter profit up 17.6% to 96 cents a share.

Total sales increased 3.4% to $16.6 billion in third quarter due to the 2.9% comp increase and the benefit of a net increase of 18 stores compared to the prior year. Target ended the period with 1,781 stores and was up against a challenging prior year comparison when comps advanced 4.3%.

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. raised its outlook for the year after reporting better-than-expected net income for the third quarter on growing sales. It was the latest sign that the long beleaguered chain may be finally entering a turnaround.

For the three months ended Oct. 27, the company said it earned $308 million, compared with $193 million in the year

New York -- GameStop plans to close 200 stores by next year, Bloomberg reported.

The closings were announced on a conference call, shortly after the chain reported better-than expected third-quarter results, excluding an impairment charge.

For the third quarter ended Oct. 27, GameStop posted a net loss of $624.3 million after impairment and goodwill costs of $678.8 million, mostly tied to international operations. That’s compared with net income of $53.9 million a year earlier.