Finance & Capital Management

Toano, Va. -- Flooring retailer Lumber Liquidators reported Thursday that net income in the third quarter rose 57.2% to $6.7 million, compared with $4.3 million in the year-ago period.

Sales surged 16.8% to $172 million in the quarter, and same-store sales increased 3%.

The retailer has opened 33 new store locations in 2011, including six opened during the third quarter. It plans to open seven to nine new stores in the fourth quarter.

St. Louis -- Build-A-Bear Workshop reported Thursday a profit of $0.9 million for the third quarter, compared with a loss of $1.4 million in the year-ago period.

Sales rose 3.1% to $95.4 million, and same-store sales increased 1.1%.

“We remain optimistic about our business and expect the ongoing implementation of our strategies to enable us to continue our positive performance,” said Maxine Clark, Build-A-Bear Workshop’s chairman and chief executive bear. International revenue surged 14%.

New York City -- Brixmor Property Group said Wednesday it has appointed Thomas W. Litzler as senior VP, central region.

Based in Chicago, Litzler will serve as the asset manager for the region, directing leasing, property operations and redevelopment activity for 11.7 million sq. ft. of community and neighborhood shopping centers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin.

North Bergen, N.J. -- Vitamin Shoppe reported Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended Sept. 24 rose to $11.9 million, compared with $7.2 million for the same period last year. 

Sales increased 11.5% to $208.9 million, from $187.4 million last year. Same-store sales rose 7.1%. The company opened 10 stores during the quarter, and expects to open 48 new stores in this fiscal year and another 52 locations in fiscal 2012.
 

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores is closing its U.S. apparel office in New York City as it shifts its focus from trendier fashions to more basic clothing. News of the move was first reported by Women’s Wear Daily and Reuters.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Big 5 Sporting Goods announced that it has appointed Dominic DeMarco to serve on its board of directors, thereby expanding the board to seven members. DeMarco is director, co-chief investment officer and chief compliance officer for Stadium Capital Management LLC, an investment advisory firm whose affiliated funds have been shareholders of Big 5 since 2006 and taken together are the company's largest current shareholder.

FORT WORTH, Texas — RadioShack's transition from offering T-Mobile products and services to offering those of Verizon Wireless took a toll on the company's third quarter profits, though overall sales managed to increase.

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us said Wednesday it will make its debut in Poland at the end of November, opening a store in Warsaw.

The company, which currently operates 300+ stores in Europe, said it will add several additional locations in major cities throughout Poland in 2012.