Finance & Capital Management

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Dillard's posted an impressive 97% increase in earnings per share for its second quarter ended July 28. Net income for the quarter was $31 million, or 63 cents per diluted share, compared with net income of $17.6 million, or 32 cents per diluted share, for the same period last year.

Net sales for the quarter were $1.5 billion compared with net sales for the prior year period of $1.442 billion. Sales in comparable stores increased 3%.

New York -- The Pantry is giving its stores a makeover. The chain will remodel 10% of its store portfolio, or approximately 160 locations annual, until it completes the job, said Pantry president and CEO Dennis Hatchell on the company’s third-quarter sales call.

The remodeling program will be store specific, according to Hatchell. He said the chain now has the scan data to execute a customized store set, and that it has a series of distinct demographic types.

The retail industry in general may not be so keen on the new Affordable Care Act, but the nation's largest retailer has come out in support of a Democratic proposal to control spending.

Walmart stores is endorsing a new plan, co-authored by former Obama and Clinton administration officials that would slow healthcare spending and keep it in line with wage growth.

Read more from the Reuters report here.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark’s solid second-quarter performance and outlook has prompted the company to raise yet narrow its guidance for the year. CVS Caremark now expects to deliver adjusted earnings per share of $3.32 to $3.38 for the full year 2012, up from its previous guidance of $3.23 to $3.33.

York, Pa. -- The Bon-Ton Storesannounced it will convert its Elder-Beerman nameplate in two markets in Michigan. Elder-Beerman stores in Howell and Monroe will be converted to the company’s Carson’s nameplate.

“We are making this strategic change in nameplates as a result of a marketing review,” said Brendan Hoffman, president and CEO. “The usage of Carson’s nameplate will allow us to communicate more effectively and provide us the opportunity to expand our outreach to more consumers.”

Costa Mesa, Calif. -- Donahue Schriber announced the acquisition of its third grocery-anchored shopping center in the last two months. The company reported the close of escrow on Del Mar Heights Village Center in San Diego County, Calif., which follows the acquisitions of Four Corners Shopping Center in Washington State and Bonita Centre, also in San Diego County.

New York -- Ralph Lauren Corp. said that its net income rose 5% in its first quarter, but the company forecast a revenue decline in the current quarter and sounded a note of caution about the weak global economy hurting consumer spending.

"The outlook for consumer spending and global economic growth remains challenging and we are planning our business accordingly," said CEO Roger Farah.

Net income from April through June was $193.4 million, up from $184.1 million a year ago.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Trianz, a global consulting and turnkey execution services firm with clients in the retail space, has expanded its leadership team. Trianz has appointed Joanne Mack, VP consulting, to its leadership team and also expanded its U.S. presence by recently opening an office in New York City.