Strategy

Vancouver – Lululemon Athletica Inc. struck a pose of profitability in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. Net income more than doubled to $47.8 million from $19 million a year earlier, aided by the elimination of a tax expense.

Net revenue increased 10% to $423.5 million, from $384.6 million. A 27% hike in direct-to-consumer net revenue, which now represents 20% of total company revenue, helped drive the overall improvement. Same-store sales dropped 1%.

Whole Foods Market, whose mission includes a promise toward the humane treatment of animals, is winning accolades for its animal welfare practices.

The company has been recognized with a Good Sow Commendation and a Global Good Egg Award from Compassion in World Farming.

Seattle -- Nordstrom announced plans to open a full-line store in a new open-air retail promenade to be built by Caruso Affiliated, in Carlsbad, California.

The 124,000-sq.-ft. store is scheduled to open fall 2018 and will be the fifth Nordstrom full-line store in the greater San Diego area. The company opened its first Nordstrom in San Diego at Fashion Valley in 1981.

Boutique retailer Francesca's efforts to improve same store sales achieved disappointing results in the first quarter.

The company said same-store sales declined 2% due to lower transaction count, although direct-to-consumer sales rose 19%.

New York -- J.C. Penney CEO-designee Marvin Ellison, who officially takes over on Aug. 1, outlined three key areas the company will focus on in the coming months in a presentation on Wednesday at the Piper Jaffray conference, The Street reported.  

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Philadelphia - Five Below is entering the Florida market with the opening of nine stores on June 12. These locations, which will bring the fast-growing retailer’s store count to 400, and are part of a total 70 new stores it plans to open in 2015.

“Entering the state of Florida, our 25th state and opening our first stores in Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa, is very exciting as we continue to grow our footprint across the country," said Joel Anderson, CEO of Five Below.

Houston – Reductions in sales, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, as well as in operating expenses, helped Mattress Firm Holding Corp. increase net income 41% to $7.72 million from $5.48 million the same quarter the prior fiscal year. The acquisition of 131 Back to Bed and Bedding Experts, Bedding Experts, and Mattress Barn stores in September 2014 drove a 69% jump in net sales to $562.6 million from $333.5 million.

Same-store sales rose 1.3%. Mattress Firm plans to open 220-240 new stores during the fiscal year.

Montreal – A reduction in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses helped elevate net earnings at Dollarama Inc. 22% to $64.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 from $53.2 million the same quarter of the previous fiscal year. Sales increased by 13% to $566.1 million from $501.1 million, aided by both new store openings and same-store sales growth of 6.9%.