Finance & Capital Management

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Books-A-Million's quarterly profit edged up to $7.6 million, from $6.7 million a year earlier.

Sales increased 10.7% to $166.9 million, from $150.8 million. Same-store sales declined 5.7%.

During the quarter, the retailer said it incurred costs of $1.6 million related to the closing of 21 underperforming locations and the opening of 41 new Bam! stores in October and November.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Books-A-Million reported Wednesday that profit for the quarter ended Jan. 28 edged up to $7.6 million, from $6.7 million a year earlier.

Sales increased 10.7% to $166.9 million, from $150.8 million. Same-store sales declined 5.7%.

During the quarter, the retailer said it incurred costs of $1.6 million related to the closing of 21 underperforming locations and the opening of 41 new Bam! stores in October and November.

Anaheim, Calif. -- Pacific Sunwear of Calif. Inc. reported Tuesday that its loss for the quarter ended Jan. 28 widened to $38.1 million, compared with a net loss of $35.2 million a year earlier. Sales dipped 1% to $234.2 million from $237.6 million, missing Wall Street’s expected revenue of $245.9 million.

PacSun has been in the throes of a right-sizing effort, working to build sales while closing underperforming stores. The company closed 87 stores during fourth quarter and ended fiscal 2011 with 733 stores.

Warrendale, Pa. -- Rue21 reported Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended Jan. 28 rose 18.7% to $12.9 million, from $10.9 million in the year-ago period.

Sales surged 15.7% to $219.9 million, but same-store sales dipped 2.2% following a 1.5% increase a year earlier.

During the quarter, Rue21 opened 17 new stores and closed two.
 

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Pacific Sunwear of Calif. Inc. reported Tuesday that its loss for the quarter ended Jan. 28 widened to $38.1 million, compared with a net loss of $35.2 million a year earlier. Sales dipped 1% to $234.2 million from $237.6 million, missing Wall Street’s expected revenue of $245.9 million.

PacSun has been in the throes of a right-sizing effort, working to build sales while closing underperforming stores. The company closed 87 stores during fourth quarter and ended fiscal 2011 with 733 stores.

WASHINGTON — February retail sales rose 8.6% over last year, marking 20 consecutive months of sustained growth, The National Retail Federation reported Tuesday.

The seasonally adjusted increase -- stronger than expected -- was 0.5%, which excludes automobiles, gas stations and restaurants.

Houston -- Francesca's Holdings Corp. reported Tuesday that profit for the fourth quarter grew nearly 100% to $8.4 million, from $4.3 million in the year-ago period. Results handily beat Wall Street expectations.

Sales surged in the period almost 55% to $61.7 million, past Wall analysts’ estimated $57.6 million. Same-store sales increased 15%.

The retailer said it expects to open 76 new boutiques during fiscal year 2013.
 

Schaumburg, Ill. -- GoldMax USA, which specializes in buying gold and precious metals from consumers, announced Tuesday that it plans to open up to 100 new stores in the United States in 2012, adding to its current 200+ store total.

The retailer debuted in Texas with the recent opening of two stores in the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area, and another two will open in the next 30 to 60 days.

GoldMax opened its first Minnesota store (in Roseville) as well, and is under way with a new store at the Mall of America in Bloomington.