Research Topic

New York -- The New York Times reported Thursday about Allen Questrom’s on-air visit with CNBC for its Fast Money Halftime Report, during which the former J.C. Penney CEO was very candid about his disapproval of new chief Ron Johnson’s approach to leadership.

Washington, D.C. -- According to the National Retail Federation and BIGinsight’s 2012 Back-to-School survey, families with school and college-aged students as of Aug. 7 say they have more than half of their shopping lists to complete.

The average person with children in grades K-12 has completed 40.1% of their shopping, while college shoppers and their families have completed slightly more at 45.3%.

Overall, school and college shoppers this year are expected to spend a total of $83.8 billion.

New York -- Ann Inc. reported Friday that profit for the second quarter rose 24% to $30.7 million, compared with $24.8 million in the year-ago period.

Same-store sales companywide increase 4.7%; by brand, Ann Taylor store comps increased 3.2% and Loft comps rose 4.1%.

The company raised its outlook for the full year of fiscal 2012, and also said that it is on track to open approximately 65 new stores this year, partially offset by the impact of downsizes at Ann Taylor stores and approximately 30 store closures. 
 

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports reported Friday that net income for the quarter ended July 28 surged 32.9% to $7.9 million from $5.9 million in the comparable-year period.

The retailer reported a net sales increase of 8% to $165.4 million compared with $153.1 million for the same period last year. Same-store sales increased 4.8%.

The company increased its earnings guidance for fiscal 2013 and said it is on track to open 55 to 60 new stores, expand approximately 15 high performing stores and close up to 18 underperforming stores.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart reported Thursday that profit slipped to $730,000 from $1.3 million last year, but second-quarter results managed to meet Wall Street's view, as revenue climbed.
 
Sales for the period grew 2% to $276.4 million, beating the $275.9 million that analysts expected. Same-store sales rose 1.6%.

 

New York -- Foot Locker reported Friday that net income for the quarter ended July 28 rose to $59 million, from $37 million last year.

Sales increased 7.2% to $1.37 billion this year, compared with $1.27 billion in the prior year. Same-store sales increased nearly 10%.
 

San Francisco -- A survey released Thursday by Placecast found that U.S. parents are more likely to use their mobile phones for shopping-related activities compared to those without children under 18 years old in their household.

In fact, the Alert Shopper III poll, which was commissioned by Placecast and conducted by Harris Interactive, showed that parents were more active than non-parents across all aspects of digital commerce (mobile and online) - from making purchases via mobile phones to receiving text and email alerts, and taking action on them.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Limited Brands reported that adjusted earnings per share for the second quarter were 50 cents compared with 48 cents for the same period last year. Adjusted net income was $147.2 million compared with $150.7 million last year. 

Comparable-store sales for the second quarter increased 8%, and net sales were $2.4 billion compared with $2.46 billion last year.