Seasonal

Sales of animal- and pet-related merchandise and winter seasonal items helped push up sales at Tractor Supply Co. in the first quarter ended March 29.

Net sales increased 9% in the quarter to $1.18 billion, up from $1.09 billion in the same quarter last year. Comparable-store sales increased 2.2%.

Net income for the quarter increased 10.9% to $48.8 million, up from $44 million

Greg Sandfort, president and CEO, said the first-quarter results demonstrated an ability to perform during tough weather conditions.

Jelly Belly Candy Co. will celebrate its American heritage with the introduction of two new patriotic bags of Jelly Belly jelly beans.

The All American mix, which consists of Very Cherry (red), Coconut (white) and Blueberry (blue), is now available in a 3.5-oz. bag that features Mr. Jelly Belly waving the American flag. The 3.5-oz bag of Very Cherry — the top-selling jelly bean flavor, according to the company — now features an updated design with a white gingham pattern and a graphic of ripe cherries that bring to mind summer picnics.

Even before Meb Keflezighi won the Boston Marathon wearing a pair of Skechers, a brand not normally associated with running, the footwear company was winning big in the marketplace.

New York - The eight-day run up to Easter 2014 fell shy of the previous year’s comparable period by 9.3% in traffic and 8.9% in sales. According to data from retail analytics provider RetailNext, there was a 1.2- percentage-point improvement in conversion, which helped generate a sales decline that was less than the traffic decline.

Bebe Stores is updating its net loss per share guidance for the third quarter ended April 5 based on its preliminary financial results.

Comparable store sales for the quarter decreased approximately 5.7%. Net sales were approximately $93 million, a decrease of 17.2% from $113 million reported for the third quarter a year ago. The company said the sales decrease was due partially to one fewer retail week in January in the current fiscal year coupled with the closure of 19 unproductive stores since the prior year third fiscal quarter.

Mars Chocolate has rolled out the M-Ball, a peanut M&M's-shaped twist on the traditional soccer ball. The vibrant ball started making the rounds in the United States on April 15, and it comes at a time when soccer fandom is reaching an all-time high, the company said.

Washington, D.C. — Simon Property Group and NRG eVgo (ee-vee-go), a subsidiary of NRG Energy will host an amped-up Earth Day Electric Car Caravan to unveil three new electric car fast-charging Freedom Station sites at St. Charles Towne Center, Bowie Town Center and Queenstown Premium Outlets in Maryland. The caravan will attend ribbon-cutting ceremonies at each center on April 22.

One may not immediately associate Kellogg with game apps, but the breakfast cereal brand is releasing a web-slinging game app to mark the upcoming The Amazing Spider-Man 2 movie.

Consumers can also enter a giveaway and a new Kellogg sweepstakes with Sony for a chance to win more than 1,000 prizes, including a free trip for two to New York.

"Spider-Man fans are gearing up for the film and we're casting a web of fun that everyone can enjoy," says Melissa Pawlowicz, senior director of integrated promotions at Kellogg.