Finance & Capital Management

York, Pa. -- Bon-Ton Stores said Thursday that its first-quarter loss grew as it booked hefty debt-related charges and sales declined almost 2%. Management blamed unseasonably cold and wet weather for weak sales of seasonal apparel, which forced the retailer to take markdowns and other adjustments.

The company reported a loss of $36 million for the three months ended April 30, compared with a loss of $23.5 million in the same period last year.

Nashville, Tenn. -- Kirkland's said Friday that its first-quarter net income fell 51% stung by higher expenses, increasing freight costs and competition over price. Its results, however, exceeded Wall Street's expectations.

The company earned $3.2 million for the period ended April 30, down from $6.5 million, a year earlier.

Total operating expenses rose to $29.7 million from $26.7 million.

Oakland, Calif. -- Cost Plus reported a narrower loss of $3.4 million for its first quarter, compared with a net loss of $10.3 million for the same period in 2010.

Revenue increased 6% to $199.7 million, from $188.6 million.
 

New York City -- Liberty Media Corp. has offered to buy Barnes & Noble in a deal valued at about $1 billion, which represents a 20% premium over the bookseller’s market value Thursday. Barnes & Noble said Thursday that the cash offer, which the Wall Street Journal called a “stunner,” is worth $17 a share.

The companies have yet to sign an agreement.

PHOENIX — PetSmart has reported earnings of 61 cents per share, up 33% compared with 46 cents per share in the first quarter of 2010. Net income totaled $71 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared with $56 million in the first quarter of 2010.

Total sales for the first quarter of 2011 increased 6.8% to $1.5 billion. The increase in net sales was partially impacted by $4 million in favorable foreign currency fluctuations, the company reported. Comparable-store sales grew 5%, benefitting from comparable transactions growth of 2.7%. 

ROANOKE, Va. — Advance Auto Parts reported that first quarter earnings per diluted share were $1.35 , which was a 13.4% increase over the first quarter last year. Net income for the quarter was $109.6 million compared with $109.4 million for the same period last year.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Limited Brands reported that adjusted earnings per share for the first quarter ended April 30, were 40 cents compared with adjusted earnings per share of 25 cents for the quarter ended May 1.  First quarter adjusted net income was $129.8 million compared with adjusted net income of $82.9 million last year, the company reported. 

Limited Brands reported that comparable-store sales for the first quarter increased 15%, and net sales were $2.217 billion compared to $1.932 billion last year.  

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings reported a first-quarter net loss of $170 million, or $1.58 per diluted share, in line with the company's expectations for a net loss in the range of $145 million and $195 million, or between $1.35 and $1.81 per diluted share. The company reported net income of $16 million, or 14 cents per diluted share, in 2010.

SECAUCUS, N.J. — The Children's Place Retail Stores has announced net sales of $430.8 million for the first quarter ended April 30, a 2% increase compared with $422.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Comparable-retail sales declined 3.2% in the first quarter of 2011.

The company reported that income from continuing operations after tax was $29.1 million, or $1.10 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2011, compared to $28 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2010.

SAN FRANCISCO — Williams-Sonoma reported that net income for the quarter ended May 1 jumped 62% to $31.6 million, from $19.5 million a year earlier, topping company expectations.

Revenue rose 7.4% to $770.8 million, better than expected.

Same-store sales, which includes direct-to-consumer revenue, rose 9%. Same-store sales rose 3.1% at the namesake brand, 7.9% at Pottery Barn and a record 11% at Pottery Barn Kids.