Seasonal

New York -- The chief economist for the National Retail Federation on Monday released his Monthly Economic Review and the good news is that the gloomy economic indicators seen during the first half of the year will give way to brighter opportunities for economic growth during second half of year.

Columbus, Ohio – Big Lots Inc. beat Wall Street predictions for profit and revenue with a solid performance in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. Improved gross margin helped Big Lots increase net income by a factor of roughly 10, to $32.21 million from $3.35 million the same period a year earlier.

Net sales slipped 0.1%, staying at roughly $1.28 billion. A reduction in stores offset same-store sales growth of 1.6%.

Big Lots continued to see positive results from the steps it has taken to improve its business in the first quarter, with the retailer posting increases in profit and sales.

Same store sales rose by 1.6% in the first quarter ended May 2, reflecting better performance in its remaining stores, and income from continuing operations jumped by 13% to $32.3 million, producing earnings of $0.60 per share, beating estimates by a penny.

Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. reported a loss of $3.5 million in the first quarter in the same week the retailer found itself in the middle of a national controversy over one of its best-selling T-shirts.

Irvine, Calif. – A lower tax rate and slowed growth in cost of sales and selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses helped Tilly’s Inc. more than double net income to $1.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to $600,000 the same quarter a year earlier.

Total net sales were $120.2 million, an increase of 8% compared to $111.1 million. Same-store sales rose 2%.

The Walmart Foundation is investing in job training efforts in Florida by giving more than $1 million in grants to 21 nonprofits across the state.

"Through these grants, more than 20 deserving nonprofit organizations will be able to continue funding vital local programs across the state,” said Senate President Andy Gardiner. “Thanks to Walmart and the Walmart Foundation for recognizing the impact these programs have on so many lives. We appreciate their continued investment in communities throughout Florida."

Zaandam, Netherlands – Global grocery conglomerate Ahold N.V. had a successful first quarter of fiscal 2015, reporting growth in overall net income and in U.S. market share. Net income more than quadrupled to $230.74 million from $54.16 million, aided by the elimination of discontinued operations from the same period a year earlier.

Atlanta - The Home Depot Inc. will host its third annual Hurricane Preparedness Workshops on May 30. The one-day event, held in nearly 700 stores from the Gulf Coast to New England, will help prepare residents in storm-prone regions ahead of hurricane season, which begins June 1.

The free workshops will be held 10-11:30 a.m. local time and cover storm readiness topics including understanding hurricane alerts and categories, creating a storm survival kit, choosing a generator, weathering a hurricane safely and repairing a home after a storm has passed.

With hurricane season fast approaching, the Home Depot wants to encourage residents to shop its stores for storm-related gear by hosting nearly 700 storm workshops on May 30 from Texas to Maine.

Weddings are becoming increasingly pet-friendly, and a new collection from Martha Stewart and PetSmart aims to leverage that trend.

The pet products retailer has announced it will be teaming up with Martha Stewart Pets on a wedding collection for dogs.