Finance & Capital Management

Dollar General turned in mixed results for its second quarter, with gains in sales but a dip in profits and a decline in gross margins.    Net sales rose 8.1% to $5.83 billion in the quarter ended Aug. 4, compared to $5.39 billion in the year-ago quarter, better than analysts were expecting. Same-store sales increased 2.6%, also better than expected, driven by increases in average transaction amounts and customer traffic.   

The spinner craze continues to benefit Five Below which has produced a stunning set of second quarter numbers, beating even its own high expectations. Total sales rose by almost 29% over the prior year, supported by a 9.3% uplift in comparables. Meanwhile, a substantial expansion of margins fueled bottom line growth where net income was up by 71.4%.  

The spinner craze helped propel Five Below in its second quarter, as the teen and tween value-retailer turned in an exceptionally strong performance that topped expectations.   Revenue rose 28.7% to $283.3 million in the quarter ended July 29, topping analysts' estimates of $276.6 million. Same-store sales jumped 9.3%, the highest since the chain's IPO in June 2012.  

Costco Wholesale Corp. turned in a strong performance in August, helped by a big increase in online sales.    Net sales rose 10% to $9.8 billion for the month of August, from $8.9 billion during the similar period last year. Total same-store sales rose 7.3%, higher than the 6.1% Wall Street expected. Same-store U.S. sales rose 7.4%, easily topping estimates for a 4.9% to 5.3% increase. Costco's comparable e-commerce sales jumped 26% in August.   

Chico's FAS' profit and revenue declined in the second quarter amid same-store declines across all its banners.      The women's apparel retailer also named Mary van Praag as president of Soma, effective September 5, 2017.  She most recently served as CEO of Perricone MD. Prior to that, she held senior executive roles at Coty, and Johnson & Johnson's beauty division.  

One of the nation's largest fragrance retailers is shrinking its store portfolio.   Perfumania has begun store closing sales at 65 stores. The nationwide sale is being conducted by Gordon Brothers and its joint venture partner, Hilco Global.  

Kohl's is reaching out to its associates as well as the general public impacted by Hurricane Harvey.   The retailer said it will provide an estimated $1 million in financial support to its employees who have been significantly impacted by the storm. Kohl’s will continue to monitor the impact of the flooding throughout the region to evaluate the need for additional assistance.   

Simon Property Group raised eyebrows in the real estate and retail communities this week with the filing a suit that challenged Starbucks’ decision to close 78 Teavana stores in Simon malls. All retailer 379 of the tea shops are slated for closure through next year.  

The parent company of such brands as Famous Footwear, Sam Edelman, and Allen Edmonds topped the Street in its second quarter, fueled by a strong back-to-school selling season.    Caleres reported that its adjusted net earnings rose 4.4% to $20.6 million. Adjusted diluted earnings a share were 48 cents, which topped estimates of 44 cents.  

Going private may take some pressure off a company, but it is not without its risks.   In June, the Nordstrom family, which owns 31.2% of the department store's stock, announced it planned to explore taking the company private. But in its latest quarterly filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Nordstrom executives warned of the potential risks that might come with a move, reported Puget Sound Business Journal.