International Business

New York – Foot Locker Inc. scored big in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 with profit and sales that exceeded Wall Street expectations. Net income was $119 million, a 33% increase from $92 million the same period the prior year.   Total sales climbed 3% to $1.69 billion from $1.64 billion. Same-store sales grew 9.6%. Falling selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses aided profit growth, while foreign currency fluctuation had a negative impact on sales growth.  

Bentonville, Ark. — Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is rearranging how responsibilities are handled by its merchandising executives. According to the Wall Street Journal, an internal company memo indicates that among the changes is a promotion to chief merchandising and marketing officer for Wal-Mart China for Marybeth Hays, currently serving as senior VP of home for Wal-Mart U.S.

Hays will replace John Furner in that role. Furner will return to the U.S. in an unspecified position.

Foot Locker Inc. continues to cash in on the trend toward wearing fashionable active apparel, as the company reported impressive sales and earnings growth in its latest quarter.

For the second quarter ended Aug. 1, the retailer posted net income of $119 million, or 84 cents per share, compared with net income of $92 million, or 63 cents per share, last year, a 33% increase. Same store sales increased 9.6%. Total sales increased 3.3%, to $1,695 million this year, compared with sales of $1,641 million for the corresponding prior-year period.  

San Francisco – Gap Inc. experienced increases in cost of goods sold and operating expenses as sales fell during a difficult second quarter of fiscal 2015, resulting in substantial profit decline. Gap reported net income of $219 million, down 51% from $332 million in the same quarter the prior fiscal year.

L Brands Inc. continues to elude the troubles that have plagued other mall retailers, as the company reported a spike in same store sales.

The parent company of Bath and Body Works and Victoria's Secret said earnings per share for the second quarter ended Aug. 1 increased 8% to 68 cents compared to 63 cents for the quarter ended Aug. 2, 2014. Net income was $202.5 million compared to $188.4 million last year. Same store sales increased 4%.

Issaquah, Wash. — A consumer lawsuit reportedly accuses Costco of knowingly purchasing shrimp from Thai providers that use slave labor and then misleading the public about the practice. According to the Puget Sound Business Journal, a California woman filed the suit in San Francisco federal court.

Stage Stores Inc. lowered its profit forecast for the year and said it plans to close at least 90 underperforming stores as the retailer invests more on digital.

The retailer said it expects the closures to enhance its capital efficiency, deliver higher productivity and allow it to invest more money in the online sales product mix and technology in general.

Veteran finance executive and former top Walmart executive Wan Ling Martello has joined the board of directors of Alibaba as the Chinese e-commerce giant eyes growth in the U.S.