Strategy

Fort Worth, Texas -- Pier 1 Imports Inc.'s third-quarter profit climbed 10% to $23 million from $21 million a year earlier, better than analysts expected. 

Revenue increased 8% to $382.7 million from $353.8 million, boosted by a higher average ticket and more traffic.  Same-store sales were up 7%. 

The retailer also said Thursday that its sales so far in December are strong and that it expected the momentum to continue until Christmas. 

FORT WORTH, Texas — Pier 1 Imports continued its streak of strong same-store sales for the third quarter, reporting that same-store for the quarter ended Nov. 26 sales increased 7% versus last year’s increase of 10.2%. Net income for the quarter was $23 million, or 21 cents per share, which included an income tax provision of $12.4 million.

Dallas — Davaco has acquired Ecoxera, an Austin, Texas-based retail sustainability consulting firm. Justin Doak, who is the founder of Ecoxera, will continue to serve as president.

Seattle -- REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.) announced that it will open its first location in Ohio next fall at Rockwood Commons in Cincinnati. The one-story location will occupy 22,000 sq. ft. and will serve more than 5,000 active REI members as well as other outdoor enthusiasts in the community.

The company also announced that it will open a store in Medford, Ore. The 23,500-sq.-ft., one-story location will open next fall in Alba Village and help outfit approximately 7,300 local active members and other adventurers.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Fourth quarter and fiscal year 2011 both proved positive for Stater Bros., the regional supermarket chain announced Tuesday.

For the fourth quarter ended Sept. 25, the retailer saw a 5% increase in sales to $941.9 million, compared with the year-ago period. For the 52-week fiscal year, sales rose 2.4% to $3.7 billion, the company said. Same-store sales for the fourth quarter and fiscal year experienced a 5% and 2.5% jump in same-store sales, respectively.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. said Wednesday it has appointed Al Duran to president of the company's Denver Division. He replaces Scott Grimmett, who is leaving Safeway for another opportunity.

Duran joined Safeway's Denver Division in 1979, and worked his way through the company's ranks including senior retail operations and marketing positions in the Safeway's Phoenix and Dominick's divisions. He joined Safeway's corporate team in 2009 as VP retail initiatives.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart Inc. said Wednesday that it has been put on notice by the Nasdaq exchange because it did not file its third-quarter results by the deadline.

The retailer said it has been given 60 days to submit a plan to regain compliance, or it could be delisted from the Nasdaq exchange.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl's announced that it has expanded its partnership with Vera Wang Group to launch a new, exclusive line of junior's clothing that will be available in stores and online beginning August 2012.

The Princes Vera Wang collection will include premium apparel and jewelry at a great value, the company said. Additional categories may be added over time.