Research Topic

With a subtitle of “The Unlikely Story of Wal Mart’s Green Revolution,” this book, by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Edward Humes, is a must-read for anyone who remains doubtful that going green can actually be profitable.

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Fort Myers, Fla. -- Chico's FAS said Wednesday that profit for the first quarter was $45.9 million, compared with $35.4 million in the year-ago period.

Net sales increased 11.5% to $537.2 million, from $481.6 million in last year's first quarter. Consolidated same-store sales rose 7.7%.

The operator of Chico’s, White House|Black Market and Soma Intimates said it anticipates opening 21 net new stores in the May-June 2011 time frame.

Westborough, Mass. -- BJ’s Wholesale Club reported Wednesday that profit for the quarter ended April 30 rose to $33.7 million, beating its guidance range of $29.5 million to $31.5 million.

Net sales for first quarter 2011 increased 10% to $2.77 billion and same-store club sales rose 6.3%.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation Wednesday launched a major nationwide 60-day lobbying, grassroots and media campaign aimed at ensuring that a new federal law saving retailers and their customers more than $1 billion a month by lowering “swipe” fees banks charge to process debit-card transactions takes effect in late July as scheduled.

New York City -- Citing a strong rebound in luxury spending, Saks reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended April 30 soared 51% to $28.4 million, compared with $18.8 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 9% to $726 million, and CEO Stephen Sadove said that he is “increasingly optimistic about the future. With the rebound in the financial markets, the luxury sector has rebounded as well.”

The retailer reported that same-store sales surged 10.2% in the quarter.
 

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie Stores said Monday that profit for the quarter ended April 6 rose to $23.5 million, compared with $20.9 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue declined to $1.62 billion, and same-store sales slipped a half-percent.
 

New York City -- Falling real wages and rising jobless claims in April contributed to largest single month drop in the Deloitte Consumer Spending Index since November 2007. The Index, which tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending, fell to 3.16% from an upwardly revised gain of 3.78% a month ago.

An increase promotional efforts in April contributed to Target’s 13.1% monthly same store sales gain, according to new data from the promotional intelligence firm Market Track.