Strategy

New York City -- The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary index of consumer sentiment showed Friday that confidence among U.S. consumers rose more than forecast in December as Americans’ outlooks improved. 

The index rose to 67.7, a six-month high, from 64.1 at the end of November. The median estimate of 73 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News called for a reading of 65.8. The gauge averaged 89 in the five years leading up to the recession that began in December 2007 and ended in June 2009. 

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. revealed Thursday it has launched an internal investigation into whether its overseas operations complied with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in matters including permitting, licensing and inspections. 

Few details about the internal probe have been released, but the retailer revealed the investigation in a quarterly report filed Thursday with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The law in question deals with bribery and accounting rules when companies are doing business overseas. 

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us reported Friday an operating loss of $75 million for the quarter ended Oct. 29, compared with a loss of $62 million in the year-ago period. Adjusted EBITDA was $36 million, compared with $49 million in the prior year.

Sales dipped to $2.7 billion from $2.72 billion a year earlier, and same-store sales fell 2.2% domestically and 3.9% internationally.

ABILENE, Kan. — Broad-line retailer Duckwall-ALCO Stores increased sales and returned to profit in the third-quarter as the company continued to experience top-line growth across multiple categories. The company reported that net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 increased 3.6% to $109.8 million, compared with the third quarter of fiscal 2011. Same-store sales, excluding fuel center sales, increased 2.7%. 

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart Inc. on Thursday said it has had to revise its Q3 financial results, because it mishandled records related to a pending changeover in its electronic inventory system. The computer error led the retailer to miss recording permanent markdowns for the quarter ended Oct. 29.

The adjustment, which will reduce gross margin and inventory, will widen Stein Mart’s third-quarter loss by $1.3-$1.6 million. The retailer had reported a loss of $1.8 million for the period.

New York City -- Brixmor Property Group announced two retailers will join Arapahoe Crossings, located Aurora, Colo., a suburb of Denver.  

Omaha-based department store retailer Gordmans is slated to open during fall 2012 with a 55,000-sq.-ft. store.  

In early 2012, Chuck and Don’s Pet Food Outlet will open a 7,000-sq.-ft. store adjacent to King Soopers grocery store.  

ST. LOUIS — Joe McClanathan, president and CEO of the Energizer household products division, will retire in the first half of 2012, Energizer Holdings announced Friday. He will be succeeded by Alan Hoskins, VP Asia-Pacific, Africa and Middle East.

Optimism, skepticism, confidence and concern are among the wide range of emotions shared by Walmart trading partners who participated in the Second Annual Supplier Survey conducted by Connecting Northwest Arkansas.