Finance & Capital Management

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Jennifer Lopez' and Marc Anthony's split had little impact on sales of their respective brands at Kohl's, which reported its third-quarter results Thursday. According to Kevin Mansell, Kohl’s chairman, president and CEO, "the launch of [the] Jennifer Lopez and Mark Anthony brands during the quarter met [the company's] aggressive sales plans."

Washington, D.C. -- Survey results released Thursday by the National Retail Federation found that fewer retailers expect return fraud rates to grow this holiday season, due in part to stronger checks and balances and to enhanced return policies.

Atlanta -- A report released Thursday by First Data Corp., which tracks same-store consumer spending by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT cards and checks at U.S. merchant locations, found that, in October, dollar volume growth held steady at 9.4% versus September’s growth of 9.5%.

Overall transaction growth improved to 7.5% in October from 7.1% in September. Inflation continued to be evident in the food sector as Food/Beverage Stores posted average ticket growth of 2.3% for the second consecutive month.

Seattle -- Starbucks Corp. announced Thursday plans to reinvent the $1.6 billion premium juice market with its all-cash purchase of San Bernadino, Calif.-based Evolution Fresh for $30 million.

The acquisition, which is part of a strategy to move beyond coffee into the health and wellness segment, gives Starbucks a path to open new health-and-wellness stores in the coming year, it said, although Starbucks has not yet revealed many stores it will open, their location or the name.

CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif. — A strong earnings and sales performance during its fiscal second quarter gave 99 Cents Only Stores the confidence to raise its full year guidance and become more aggressive with store growth. The company reported that total retail sales increased 9% to $352.2 million and same-store sales increased 6.7% for the second quarter. Consolidated net income increased by $2.2 million to $15.1 million or 21 cents per diluted share, versus $12.9 million in the prior year, or 18 cents per diluted share

San Diego -- PriceSmart Inc. reported Thursday that profit for the fourth quarter dipped 4% to $12.7 million from $13.2 million a year earlier, as higher costs offset stronger sales.

The wholesale club operator’s total revenue surged 22% to $447.4 million. Same-store sales rose nearly 19% in October.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Corp. reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended Oct. 29 rose 20% to $211 million, compared with $176 million in the year-ago period.

The retailer cited cost cuts and strong demand for exclusive brands for the strong performance, which matched Wall Street expectations.

ROANOKE, Va. — Advance Auto Parts is raising its full year EPS outlook following an impressive 37% increase in third quarter earnings. According to Mike Norona, EVP and CFO, the company now expects its annual 2011 EPS outlook to be $4.90 to $4.95. For the third quarter, the cmpany reported that earnings per diluted share were $1.41 compared with $1.03 for the same period last year.