Strategy

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings remains positive about its future despite reporting a wider loss for the third quarter and comps declines across its retail segments. The company reported a net loss of $421 million, or $3.95 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2011, compared with a net loss of $218 million, or $1.98 loss per diluted share, in 2010. 

HUDSON, Ohio — While many retailers are boasting about opening on Thanksgiving Day night to give shoppers an early start on the Black Friday weekend, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores is going in a different direction and will stay closed for the holiday. 

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Dollar Tree posted big sales and earnings growth for the quarter, showing that discounters remain dominant in this economy. The company reported that consolidated net sales for the third quarter were $1.60 billion, an 11.9% increase compared with $1.43 billion reported for the quarter ended Oct. 30, 2010. Comparable-store sales increased 4.8%, on top of an 8.7% increase for the third quarter 2010.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Limited Brands reported that adjusted earnings per share for the third quarter ended Oct. 29 increased 39% to 25 cents compared with earnings per share of 18 cents for the quarter ended Oct. 30, 2010, which exclude an income tax benefit in 2011 of $16.7 million, or 6 cents per share. Third quarter operating income was $186.1 million compared with operating income of $149.1 million last year, and adjusted net income was $77.6 million compared to net income of $61.3 million last year.

BUENOS AIRES  — Ezequiel Gómez Berard, CEO of Walmart Argentina, joined the Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Industry Minister Débora Giorigi, Economy Minister (Vice President elected) Amado Boudou, Osvaldo Mosteirin, Walmart Argentina CAO; Horacio Barbeito, Walmart Argentina CMO, and Hernán Carboni, Walmart director of corporate affairs, in the office of the Argentine President to discuss Walmart's progress in Argentina.

SAN FRANCISCO — Ahmad Ouri has been named president of Premier Retail Networks, a global leader in digital place-based media services. Based in San Francisco, Ouri will oversee all PRN activities and lead the development and strategic growth of the company, which is wholly owned by Technicolor.

Chesapeake, Va. -- Dollar Tree reported Thursday that profit for the third quarter rose 12.1% to $104.5 million, from $93.2 million a year earlier.

Revenue rose 11.9% to $1.6 billion, surpassing Wall Street’s expected $1.58 billion. Performance has been consistent with the strength of the category, as the discounter has recorded double-digit year-over-year percentage revenue increases over the past five quarters.

Same-store sales rose 4.8% in the third quarter.

San Francisco – Williams-Sonoma Inc. reported Thursday that profit for the third quarter rose 19% to $43.4 million, from $36.5 million in the same period last year.

Revenue rose 6% to $867.2 million, compared with $815.5 million last year and solidly beating Wall Street’s expected $855.7 million in revenue.

Same-store sales overall rose 7.3%, comprised of a 7% rise in the company’s Pottery Barn stores, a 5.2% rise at Pottery Barn Kids and a 27% surge at West Elm. Same-store sales at namesake stores were up a slight 0.1%.

Secaucus, N.J. -- The Children's Place Retail Stores reported Thursday that net income increased to $33.7 million for the quarter ended Oct. 29, up from $31.2 million a year earlier.

Sales rose 7% to $484.1 million from $453.4 million. Same-store sales edged up 0.9%.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart Inc. reported Thursday that it moved to a loss in the quarter ended Oct. 29, recording a loss of $1.8 million compared with a profit of $4.3 million a year earlier.

Gross profit margin fell to 23.8% from 25.4%, due mainly to increased markdowns and higher buying costs.
 
Revenue dropped 4% to $258.5 million from $267.9 million, a consistent trend since 2007. Same-store sales fell 2.9%.