Finance & Capital Management

Grapevine, Texas -- Video-game retailer GameStop Corp. reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended Jan. 28 dropped 27% to $174.7 million, from $237.8 million in the year-ago period. Adjusted profit, however, matched predictions, as results included $64.6 million in asset impairment and restructuring charges.

Revenue fell 3.1% to $3.58 billion from $3.69 billion, missing Wall Street’s expected $3.69 billion in revenue. Same-store sales slipped 3.6%.

GRAPEVINE, Texas — GameStop is postive about 2012, despite ending 2011 with a quarter of declining sales and earnings.

Paul Raines, chief executive officer, stated, “In 2011, GameStop outperformed the video game market through disciplined execution of its core business and strategic initiatives. For 2012, we project operating earnings growth based on the continuation of our transformation, led by our strong pre-owned business, expanding digital offerings and emerging mobile categories.”

WAYNE, N.J. — The decision to open fewer Express stores during the 2011 holiday selling season, along with a decline in comparable-store sales both in the United States and internationally, contributed to Toys“R”Us's fourth-quarter net sales decline of $47 million to $5.9 billion. On a positive note, the company's new ventures in Greater China and Southeast Asia have offset the sales decline.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. -- Dollar General Corp. reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended Feb. 3 surged 33% to a record $299 million, from $226 million in the prior year.

Sales increased 20.1% to $4.19 billion, compared with $3.49 billion in the year-ago period. Same-store sales rose 6.5%.
   
For the full year, profit rose 26% to $819 million, from $649 million in 2010. Sales surged 13.6% to $14.8 billion, from $13 billion last year. Same-store sales rose 6%.
   

Chicago -- Claire's Stores reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Jan. 28 rose to $39.5 million, from $21 million in the year-ago period.

Sales edged up 3.1% to $434.9 million, compared with $422 million last year. Same-store sales rose 0.9%, consisting of a 3.4% increase in North America and a 3.6% decrease in Europe.
 

Dallas -- The Neiman Marcus Group said Thursday that it will invest $28 million in Glamour Sales Holding, a Shanghai-based e-commerce company, as part of its strategy to gain a foothold in the Asian e-commerce marketplace.

“We are taking this bold step to establish Neiman Marcus Group as an international brand,” said Karen Katz, president and CEO, Neiman Marcus Group.

Seattle -- REI revealed on Thursday that Urban Outfitters CFO Eric Artz has been named finance chief for the outdoor retailer, effective May 2012.

Urban Outfitters announced Artz’s departure earlier on Thursday.

SEATTLE — REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.) announced that retail and outdoor industry veteran Eric Artz will join the company as chief financial officer in May. Artz comes to REI from Urban Outfitters.