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WASHINGTON — Desire for more organic food, high-end products and mobile technologies were the driving trends of the fastest-growing retailers in the United States, according to the National Retail Federation's "Hot 100 Retailers" list. Published annually in the group's STORES August issue, the list consists of retail companies that reported the greatest increase in domestic sales between 2010 and 2011. All public and private companies with more than $300 million in sales were eligible for the list, which was compiled by Kantar Retail.

PITTSBURGH — American Eagle Outfitters is raising its EPS outlook, thanks to stronger than expected sales for the second quarter.

The company's new second quarter outlook calls for earnings per share of 19 cents to 21 cents. Previous guidance called for EPS between 13 cents and 15 cents.

Net sales for the second quarter increased 11% to $740 million compared with $669 million last year. Comparable-store sales increased 9%, including sales from AEO direct.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix sales grew $6.8 billion in the second quarter, a 3.2% increase from $6.6 billion for the same period last year. Same-store sales rose 1.9%.

Net earnings took a slight hit, declining 0.2%, to $381.6 million from $382.4 million in 2011. However, earnings per share for the second quarter increased to 49 cents for 2012, up from 48 cents per share in 2011.

Memphis, Tenn. -- Discount-store operator Fred's Inc. said Wednesday that its same-store sales increased 1.2% during the four weeks ended July 28, helped by markdowns that increased customer traffic. The company also raised its earnings guidance for the second quarter, citing a tax settlement with the state of Tennessee.

Total sales for the month rose 5% to $136.7 million.

Issaquah, Wash. -- Costco Wholesale Corp. posted a 5% increase in same-store sales in July, helped by strong sales at its U.S. stores. But the stronger dollar and lower gas prices pressured its results.

Same-store revenue at U.S. locations open was up 7% for the period ended July 29. The figure was flat for its international stores.

Taking out the impact of lower gas prices and a stronger dollar, same-store sales rose 7% for the month. In the U.S., the metric was up 8% while overseas it rose 7%.

NEW YORK — Days of cutting back-to-school spending are over, as nearly 9-in-10 consumers plan to spend the same or more, according to Deloitte's annual back-to-school survey.

Sunbury, Pa. -- Weis Markets reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended June 30 rose 12.1% to $23.2 million, compared with $20.7 million in the year-ago period.

Sales were essentially flat at $677.1 million, and same-store sales inched up 0.4%.

President and CEO David Hepfinger cited a “stagnant sales environment” for the near-flat sales but said the grocer continues to improve efficiencies and store-level productivity.
 

New York -- Consumer confidence unexpectedly rose in July as Americans were more optimistic about the short-term outlook than they were about their current conditions, according to a report released Tuesday by The Conference Group, private research group. The report showed that while consumers are feeling better about the economy, they remain wary about the labor markets.

New York -- A survey released Tuesday by Deloitte found that shoppers are prepped to spend on back-to-school items, and plan to use their mobile phones in the process.

Walmart and Target should see an influx of parents in the coming months, as both retailers topped the list of where consumers plan to do most of their back-to-school shopping this year, according to The NPD Group.

NPD asked the the open-end question:  “Where do you plan to do most of the back to school shopping for your child(ren)?" Out of 1,760 mentions of retailers where parents plan to do back to school shopping on behalf of their kids, Walmart secured 36% of them, followed by Target at 20%.