Corporate Governance

LOS ANGELES — Target has launched a beauty concierge program at 96 existing stores in Los Angeles and Orange County area.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Cold weather affected Hibbett Sports' first quarter results for the period ended May 4, but the sporting goods retailer still saw net sales of $240 million, a 3% increase from $233 million for the 13-week period ended April 28, 2012.

Comparable store sales increased 0.8% for the quarter.

For the quarter, Hibbett opened nine new stores, expanded five high performing stores and closed three underperforming stores, bringing the store base to 879 in 29 states.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kroger's mid-south division president John Hackett is retiring, after 50 years of service with the company. Hackett began his career with Kroger in 1963 as a store clerk in London, Ohio, while working his way through college at The Ohio State University.

CINCINNATI — Kroger plans to provide $2.3 million to support the USO's broad range of programs that assist service members and their families, as part of its Honoring Our Heroes campaign.

For the following two weeks, store-wide promotions will feature hundreds of popular products at special sale prices. Customized shelf tags will highlight participating items, including Kroger's own products and items from key partners, including Unilever, Coca Cola, Kraft, Nestle, Frito Lay, Procter & Gamble, ConAgra and Dannon. Start and end dates vary by region.

Kearney, Neb. -- The Buckle reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended May 4 fell slightly to $37.6 million, compared with $37.8 million in the year-ago period. Results were impacted by higher operating expenses.

Revenue increased 2.3% to $269.7 million from $263.8 million, and same-store sales edged up 1.2%.

Ace Hardware reported first-quarter revenues of $923.2 million, up 1.7% from the same quarter in 2012. Net income of $4.4 million was down from $10.2 million earned in 2012.

New York -- Rue21 shareholder Apax Partners will acquire the teen apparel retailer in a deal valued at about $1.1 billion. The private equity firm, which has a 30% stake in rue21, also owns Cole Haan and Takko Fashion as part of its retail portfolio.

Rue21 said it has set up a special committee of independent directors to solicit and evaluate higher bids during a 40-day go-shop period.

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Dollar Tree achieved the highest first-quarter operating margin in its history in the first quarter ended May 4.

Consolidated net sales for the first quarter ended May 4 were $1.9 billion, an 8% increase from $1.7 billion for the quarter ended April 28 last year. The value retailer saw a comparable store sales increase of 2% on top of a 6% increase for the first quarter last year.