Strategy

York, Pa. – Net loss at The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. widened to $34.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, from $31.5 million in the same quarter the prior year. Increased cost of sales and depreciation and amortization helped increase net loss.

Total sales inched up to $610.9 million from $607.5 million, while same-store sales increased 0.8%. E-commerce sales increased at a double-digit rate due to a higher conversion rate.

Chesapeake, Va. – Dollar Tree Inc. plans to sell about 330 Family Dollar stores to obtain Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approval of its pending $8.5 billion acquisition of Family Dollar Stores.  

The company has not identified the buyer, the sale amount or which stores will be closed. The 330 Family Dollar stores represent about $45.5 million in operating income, according to Dollar Tree. Dollar Tree expects the Family Dollar purchase to go through in July 2015.

West Elm helped Williams-Sonoma deliver another solid financial performance in the first quarter despite negative effects from the West Coast port dispute and sluggish consumer spending.

Total revenue for Williams-Sonoma Inc. in the first quarter ended May 3 grew 5.8% year over year, to $1.03 billion, versus $974 million in the first quarter of 2014. Same store sales from its flagship Williams-Sonoma brand grew 2.7%, Pottery Barn sales increased 2.4%, West Elm delivered a 15.3% increase in comps, Pottery Barn Kids grew 0.8%, and sales from PBteen increased 3% year over year.

L Brands is showing that it continues to be a bright spot in a volatile specialty retail environment with its latest quarterly results.

The company raised its full-year adjusted earnings guidance to $3.50 to $3.70 a share, from its previous forecast for $3.45 to $3.65. The retailer reported profit of $250.5 million, or 84 cents a share, in the three months ended May 2, up from $157 million, or 53 cents a share, in the prior year period. Sales rose 5% to $2.5 billion.

Demand for iPhone 6, big TVs and appliances surged at Best Buy in the first quarter, enabling the company to report a much-better-than expected same store sales increase.

Kirkland’s Inc. says it is still on track to open as many as 40 new stores in 2015 after reporting solid financial results in its latest quarter.

The company’s net income increased 23% to $2.53 million, from $2.05 million a year earlier. Growth in cost of sales and operating expenses lagged the rate of revenue growth, boosting net income. Net sales rose 9% to $118.31 million, from $108.25 million. Same store sales, including e-commerce sales, grew 3%.

Bon-Ton Stores Inc. cited growth in the e-commerce channel as among the reasons for the company's slight increase in same store sales in the first quarter.

Stein Mart is not only growing its footprint but the off-price retailer is also growing same store sales as well.

Same-store sales rose 4.8% in the first quarter ended May 2. Net income fell 3% to $13.6 million from $14.1 million a year earlier, with higher loan interest expense a major contributor. Net sales increased 7% to $353.5 million, from $328.9 million.

The CEO of Lumber Liquidators has resigned just a few months after the company became embroiled in an investigation over wood products imported from China.

The company said Robert Lynch resigned “unexpectedly” and that it intends to commence a national search for Lynch's replacement. In the interim, Thomas D. Sullivan, the company's founder, will serve as the acting chief executive officer of the company.

Retailers in urban areas where Amazon.com is rolling out its Prime Now delivery service soon may be able to piggyback on the e-commerce innovator’s supply chain prowess to offer one-hour delivery.

In Manhattan, where Amazon.com launched Prime Now earlier this year, the company has added products from select local merchants to the tens of thousands of items it already promises to deliver within one hour.