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Berlin, N.J. -- A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts reported Tuesday that net loss for the quarter ended Jan. 1 was $4.8 million, widened from a loss of $500,000 in the year-ago period.

Sales for the fourth quarter decreased 4.4% $143.2 million, from $149.7 million. Same-store sales fell 4.3%.

Washington, D.C. -- The nation’s court is set to hear arguments on Tuesday in a decade-old legal fight that could cost Wal-Mart Stores billions of dollars if the 500,000 women claiming sex bias are allowed to band together in a class action.

Wal-Mart is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to end the massive sex discrimination lawsuit in which the women are claiming that the retailer favors men over women in pay and promotions.
 

NEW YORK — The share of private-label brands and products will double to 50% by 2025, thanks to a continued emphasis made by retailers.

In a new report released by Rabobank's Food and Agribusiness Research division, author Sebastiaan Schreijen noted that national brands and smaller, secondary brands (referred to as "A" and "B" brands, respectively) will prompt an intense price competition and therefore will cause the private-label market to become chock-full of higher-quality "B"-brand products at lower prices.

Two new pricing studies out this past week show Target and Walmart are so close to one another on a basket of goods that shoppers would have a hard time discerning which company is the low-price leader.

Bensalem, Pa. -- Charming Shoppes said it would close 240 unprofitable stores in 2011, or nearly 12% of its total outlets, and that more than half of those would be Fashion Bug stores.
 
The locations were not disclosed.

The company said all 30 of its Catherines Plus Sizes stores in outlet locations would be shuttered over a two-year period.
 

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Monday by the Commerce Department showed that consumer spending in the United States rose more than forecast in February as incomes climbed.

Bloomberg News estimated spending would advance 0.5%.

Purchases increased 0.7%, the most since October, after advancing 0.3% the prior month. Incomes increased 0.3%, less than the 0.4% projected.

A monthly pricing survey by Credit Suisse showed Walmart had the lowest overall basket price in Dallas and Chicago and suggest that where prices head from here is up to Walmart.

Memphis, Tenn. -- Fred's reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Jan. 29 rose 48% to $8.6 million, compared with $5.8 million in the year-ago period.

The discount retailer cited a better merchandise selection and store upgrades for the improved performance, which topped Wall Street expectations.

Revenue rose 3% to $485.6 million from $473.1 million, missing analysts’ forecast of $487.3 million in revenue. Same-store sales rose 2.3%.

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -- The Wet Seal reported Thursday that net income for the fourth quarter ended Jan. 29 dropped to $5.3 million, compared with $74.2 million in the year-ago period. Last year’s quarter included a non-cash tax benefit of $64.7 million.

Sales rose to $165.5 million from $151 million a year earlier. Same-store sales increased 2.3%. Same-store sales for Wet Seal increased 1.9% and for Arden B increased 4.8%.

Grapevine, Texas -- GameStop Corp. reported Thursday that net earnings for the quarter ended Jan. 29 rose 10.1% to $237.8 million, compared with $215.9 million in the year-ago period.

Total sales increased 4.8% to $3.69 billion, from $3.52 billion. Same-store sales increased 2.6%.

For the year, total sales increased 4.3% to an all-time high of $9.47 billion, in comparison to $9.08 billion in fiscal 2009. Same-store sales increased 1.1%. Net earnings increased 8.1% to a record $408 million.