Events

Columbus, Ohio -- Limited Brands Inc. reported Wednesday a first-quarter profit of $124.6 million, compared with $165.2 million in the year-ago period. Results topped Wall Street estimates.

Net sales slipped to $2.15 billion from $2.22 billion, and same-store sales increased 7%.
 

As part of Chain Store Age’s lead-up coverage to RECon 2012, to be held May 20-23 in Las Vegas, we talked with DLC’s Daniel Taub about what his expectations are for the big real estate show. Visit DLC’s booth at RECon, Upper South Hall, S2235.

Charleston, S.C. -- The number of Americans delaying their shopping to Memorial Day Weekend is at an all-time high, according to findings in two reports by America's Research Group Surveys. The reports find that shoppers will approach Memorial Day in keeping with a growing trend: holding off on shopping until "big" holiday weekends.

IndyCar driver Dario Franchitti will honor sponsor Target's 50th anniversary by using the using the number 50 on the car he will use at the Indianapolis 500. The car will feature a paint scheme that uses the Target bullseye in place of the zero. Franchitti regularly uses the No. 10 car. Read more.

 

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. reported a better-than-expected 1.2% increase in first-quarter profit as warm weather and an early Easter helped drive sales. The chain also raised its earnings forecast for the full year.

Target’s net earnings for the quarter ended April 28 were $697 million, compared with $689 million in the year-ago period.

“We’re very pleased with our first-quarter earnings, which benefited from better-than-expected sales,” Gregg Steinhafel, Target’s CEO, said in a statement.

LONDON — In honor of Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee, Asda's George division has created an exclusive, limited edition Big Jubilee Lunch t-shirt for women.

This might not come as a huge surprise, but “irrational exuberance” is unlikely to be on prominent display. What have, in the past, been lavish spending habits of RECon attendees have been diminished in recent years, and I think the 2012 event will be no exception.

New York -- Dylan's Candy Bar will open its first West Coast location in Los Angeles, this summer. The 2,500-sq.-ft. store will be located in a historic landmark: the Original Farmers Market on the corner of Third and Fairfax.

“We opened our first store 10 years ago in NYC fulfilling a childhood dream of mine to create the largest, most magical candy store,” said Dylan Lauren, founder and CEO of Dylan's Candy Bar. “Now I'm thrilled to bring my love of color, design and the joy of candy from coast to coast!”