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Dallas -- Zale Corp. posted a higher second quarter profit helped by a surge in holiday sales. Net profit rose to $28.8 million, from $27.2 million a year ago.

Overall revenue rose 6% to $663.8 million. Same-store sales rose 5.8%.
 

Rising consumer expectations have driven a corresponding increase in retail amenities, especially family-oriented provisions such as baby changing tables and child-seating products. Chain Store Age talked with Koala Kare Products’ Brendan Cherry about the evolution of family-friendly retail over the decades.

Since you introduced your first baby changing station some 25 years ago, how has the public’s perception of these types of retail amenities evolved?

Chesapeake, Va. -- Dollar Tree Inc. reported a higher-than-expected profit for the fourth quarter ended on Jan. 28. But the chain forecast quarterly earnings and sales below Wall Street estimates amid rising gasoline prices and increased competition from larger rivals.

For the quarter, net income rose to $187.9 million, from $162.5 million a year earlier.

Sales rose about 12.8% to $1.95 billion. Same-store sales were up 7.3%.

How much is a brand worth? If the brand in question happens to be Walmart, the answer is an eye-popping $139 billion, according to Interbrand Design Forum’s ranking of the top 50 U.S. retail brands by brand value. The study calculates the financial net worth of retail brands based on three metrics: the brand’s financial performance, the role the brand plays in driving consumer selection, and the ability of the brand to secure the delivery of expected future earnings.

New York City -- Belk plans to remodel almost 30 stores this year as the department store company focuses on upgrading its existing space, the Charlotteobserver.com reported.

Last year, Belk spent about $70 million on store remodels and renovations. In 2012, the chain plans to increase that slightly, to $75 million, and then spend up to $130 million a year in 2013 and 2014, according to the report.

CINCINNATI — Macy's continues to see improved financial performance, reporting fourth-quarter sales and earnings today that exceeded management’s expectations.

The company reported fourth-quarter earnings per diluted share of $1.74, compared with diluted earnings per share of $1.59 for the fourth quarter of 2010. Sales for the quarter increased 5.5% to $8.7 billion from $8.3 billion last year. Same-store sales for the quarter increased 5.2%.

Dayton, Ohio -- Walmart takes the top spot on a ranking of the most valuable U.S. retail brands from branding consultancy firm Interbrand. The discounter’s brand value is put at a whopping $139 billion. By comparision, the second highest ranked U.S. brand, Target Corp., has a value of $23 billion.

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Publix Super Markets and Nordstrom are the highest ranked bricks-and-mortar retailers in a report released Tuesday by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). While supermarkets overall are up 1.3% to 76, Publix remains the grocer to beat, with a score of 84.

The best of the best among all retailers — traditional or online — is Amazon, with a score of 86, followed by online retailer Newegg at 85. Next in line are two more websites: Overstock at 83 and eBay at 81.