Research Topic

Grapevine, Texas -- Video-game retailer GameStop Corp. reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended Jan. 28 dropped 27% to $174.7 million, from $237.8 million in the year-ago period. Adjusted profit, however, matched predictions, as results included $64.6 million in asset impairment and restructuring charges.

Revenue fell 3.1% to $3.58 billion from $3.69 billion, missing Wall Street’s expected $3.69 billion in revenue. Same-store sales slipped 3.6%.

GOODLETSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General's quarterly profit surged 33% to a record $299 million, from $226 million in the prior year.

Sales increased 20.1% to $4.19 billion, compared with $3.49 billion in the year-ago period. Same-store sales rose 6.5%.

For the full year, profit rose 26% to $819 million, from $649 million in 2010. Sales surged 13.6% to $14.8 billion, from $13 billion last year. Same-store sales rose 6%.

Evansville, Ind. -- Shoe Carnival reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Jan. 28 dipped to $3.3 million, from $4.4 million. Sales edged up 1.1% to $181.9 million in the quarter, and same-store sales dropped 3%.

President and CEO Mark Lemond told investors that heavy promotional activities to rid the chain of cold-weather footwear after an unseasonably warm winter had a negative impact on margins.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Shopping center owner Regency Centers said Thursday that it will install electric vehicle charging stations at 19 of its grocery-anchored and community shopping centers in Arizona, California, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington, D.C.

Regency is partnering with Ecotality to install Blink Level 2 EV charging stations at the 19 centers; the rollout is part of The EV Project, the largest national deployment of commercial and residential charging stations in major U.S. cities and metropolitan areas.

Memphis, Tenn. -- Fred’s reported Wednesday that net income for the fourth quarter jumped 14%, boosted by more robust sales and a favorable tax adjustment.

Profit for the quarter ended Jan. 28 rose to $9.8 million, from $8.6 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 2.5% to $497.6 million, missing Wall Street’s expected $498.4 million in sales.

Same-store sales were flat.

WABAN, Mass. — There most be something to that REDcard Rewards program. Target this week was among the companies with the most loyal customers, according to a new study by Temkin Group. The report, "2012 Temkin Loyalty Ratings," rated the loyalty that consumers have to 206 large companies across 18 industries.

Target with a rating of 59%, ranked No. 8 on the list. Sam's Club earned the top spot with a loyalty rating of 65%.

Philadelphia -- A Wednesday report by Reuters said that discounter Five Below is said to be considering an initial public offering. 

The report, citing unnamed sources, said that the Advent International- and LLR Partners-owned chain has hired underwriters and is in discussions with bankers.

Five Below is in a growth mode and could potentially command a market valuation of over $1 billion.

Whiting, Ind. -- Survey results released Wednesday by CouponCabin.com found that 41% of U.S. adults who purchase apparel say that they only buy clothing when it’s on sale.

Nearly one-quarter (23%) of U.S. adults said their shopping strategy involves doing whatever they can to save money.

The Spring Shopping Survey, conducted online by Harris Interactive, contained the following highlights: