Marketing

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway posted a drop in quarterly net income amid higher commodity costs.

The company reported net income of $215.6 million (67 cents per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of 2011. In the fourth quarter of 2010, Safeway reported net income of $229.6 million (62 cents per diluted share).

Total sales increased 6.2% to $13.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011 from $12.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010, helped by higher fuel sales and a 1.5% increase in identical-store sales (excluding fuel).

A body in motion tends to stay in motion and that appears to be the case with Sam’s Club where a strong fourth-quarter performance is expected to continue in 2012 under the leadership of new president and CEO Rosalind Brewer.

The former Walmart store operations executive took the helm from outgoing Sam’s president and CEO Brian Cornell three weeks ago and is looking to build on the momentum he initiated and was evident in fourth quarter results reported earlier this week.

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. reported Thursday that net income for the fourth quarter plummeted 40% on higher costs and aggressive discounting during the holiday selling season.

Net income for the quarter ended Jan. 28 was $218 million, compared with $365 million a year earlier. Sales dipped to $4.28 billion in the quarter, from $4.36 billion, matching Wall Street estimates.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Bayer Properties announced that Jay Wiseman has been named VP of acquisitions for the company.

Wiseman was previously with CBL & Associates Properties, Chattanooga, Tenn., where his responsibilities included acquisition of malls, strip centers and office buildings nationwide. He also sourced international investments and established investment platforms in Brazil and China.
 

Boston -- Gordon Brothers Group announced that Mark T. Dufton has been named CEO and Neill J. Kelly has been named president of DJM Realty, Gordon Brothers’ real estate management affiliate.

Dufton has held the role of interim president of DJM Realty since December 2011. He is a former veteran of the company, after having spent nine years with DJM as principal and senior managing director.

Kelly is also a former DJM executive, having served as managing director from 1999 to 2003. He was previously principal at RK Realty Advisors.

Dallas -- Fort Worth, Texas-based Trademark Property Co. announced the opening of Central Market’s first small prototype store at its Preston Oaks center. Located in the Preston Hollow neighborhood in Dallas, the 30,000 sq.-ft. store is the ninth location -- the fifth in Dallas-Fort Worth -- for the specialty grocer.

The agreement with H-E-B Central Market was originally announced by Trademark in May 2011 following strong interest from several potential tenants looking to move into the former Borders bookstore location.

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. has named Jill Stanton to the newly-created role as creative advisor for Old Navy, and Liz Meltzer as senior VP of Gap International Merchandising.

Stanton will work with the Old Navy design and merchandising teams to provide a fresh perspective and insights to the brand. Her career spans more than 25 years in apparel retail, starting with global retailers Next and Marks and Spencer. She also has more than a decade of experience with Nike, ultimately serving as VP global apparel.

Hong Kong -- Asian-based apparel retailer Esprit reported Thursday a net profit of $71.6 million for the six months ended December, beating Wall Street estimates.

The retailer said it remains on track to close its directly managed stores in North America by end-March 2012 and will continue to look for a licensing partner.

Fort Worth, Texas -- RadioShack Corp. said Thursday that it has named William "Bill" Nebes III as senior VP, overseeing the company's operations in Mexico.

Nebes will report to Jim Gooch, president and CEO.

Nebes has served as VP of Mexico operations for RadioShack since February 2009, shortly after RadioShack acquired full ownership of the Mexico business in December 2008.

Atlanta -- Rent-to-own retailer Aaron’s said Wednesday it has appointed interim CEO Ronald W. Allen as its permanent president and CEO.

Allen served as chairman and CEO of Delta Air Lines from 1987 to 1997, and has been a member of the Aaron's board since 1997.