Corporate Governance

LOS ANGELES — Virtual Piggy, an online service that allows parents to monitor their children's online shopping behavior, has upgraded its security service to ease compliance with Federal Trade Commission regulations.

The security service offers parental verification as well as transactional capability, which allows merchants to comply with the updated amendments to Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.

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.

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New York – Ralph Lauren Corporation reported increases in sales and net income during both fourth quarter and the full year of fiscal 2013. Quarterly retail sales rose 7% from $752 million to $804 million, while annual retail sales rose 6% from $3.4 billion to $3.6 billion. Ralph Lauren attributed both the fourth quarter and full year retail sales improvement to incremental contribution from new stores and e-commerce operations, as well as consolidated comparable store sales growth of 3%.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Five Sam’s Club locations in Central Oklahoma are temporarily waiving membership requirements to support residents and communities affected by the tornadoes that ravaged the area May 20. 

The clubs also established free power stations so members of the community without power could recharge their mobile devices, laptop computers and other electronic devices.