Seasonal

-ADVERTORIAL-

YORK, Pa. — Bon-Ton Stores pointed to inclement weather in its markets and higher gas prices in the Northeast and Midwest for overall sales weaknesses which translated into a same-store sales decrease of 6.4% for the second quarter ended Aug. 3.

The unfavorable shift in consumer spending patterns affected the company’s total sales for the quarter, which decreased 6.3% to $557 million, compared with $595 million for the prior-year period.

WAYNE, N.J. — It may be August, but Toys"R"Us is getting a jump on the holiday season. The retailer is expanding its price match guarantee on items available at its Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us stores nationwide to include selected online retailer pricing. 

ORLANDO — Walmart is kicking off its official start to the holiday season Friday, Sept. 13, with a no-fee layaway program.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart will offer customers free layaway with no opening fee for the holidays. The program will run Sept. 13 through Dec. 13, but the chain’s Facebook fans will have a two-day head start this year with access to layaway on Sept. 11 and Sept. 12.

Eligible layaway items include electronics, toys, jewelry, small appliances and select sporting goods. And new in 2013 are infant toys and automotive electronics such as speakers and stereos.

ATLANTA — A rebound in seasonal categories helped The Home Depot post double-digit same-store sales in the second quarter as it exceeded its own expectations.

Net sales at the world's largest home improvement retailer increased 9.5% to $22.5 billion in the quarter ended Aug. 4, compared with $20.6 billion in the same quarter last year. Comp-store sales increased 10.7% across the company, and increased 11.4% among domestic stores.

Net earnings for the quarter were $1.80 billion, up 17.2% from $1.53 billion in last year's 14-week second quarter.

PITTSBURGH — Dick's Sporting Goods reported a 57% increase in second-quarter net income, which was chiefly related to a big charge last year.

For the period ended Aug. 3, the retailer earned $84.2 million, up from $53.7 million in the prior-year period when it recorded a $32.4 million impairment charge tied to an investment in JJB Sports. Revenue rose 6% to $1.53 billion, short of analyst projections of $1.57 billion. Same-store sales edged down 0.4%.

Chairman and CEO Edward Stack said bad weather reduced traffic and hurt sales.

New York -- Express staged a fashion show on Friday in New York City's Times Square, providing the specialty retailer with a promotional platform to preview upcoming collections.

Male and female models showed off the retailer's Holiday 2013 collection, which is not scheduled to hit stores for a few months yet, as part of an ad campaign shoot.

"The Holiday 2013 collection is really about a lot of sparkle, shine, glamour and obviously New York City," said Express president David Kornberg.