AutoZone, Inc.

Photo: Marvin Ellison, CEO, J.C. Penney

AutoZone says inventory efficiency improvements allowed the retailer to increase sales and profit in the first quarter.

For the period ended Nov. 21, net sales were $2.4 billion, an increase of 5.6% from the prior year quarter. Same-store sales increased 3.5% for the quarter. Net income for the quarter increased 8.3% over the same period last year to $258.1 million, while diluted earnings per share increased 14% to $8.29 per share from $7.27 per share in the year-ago quarter.

With rival AutoZone continuing to produce record results, Pep Boys' financial performance is headed in the opposite direction as uncertainty looms over who will acquire the company.

Pep Boys reported a 1.8% decrease in same store sales for the period ended Oct. 31. Net sales decreased by $9.4 million, or 1.8%, to $508.1 million from $517.6 million in the prior year. Net earnings were $1.3 million or 2 cents per share as compared to a net loss of $2 million in the prior year.

AutoZone is making some changes to its leadership as the company positions itself for growth and expansion.

The company announced the following promotions:

• Phil Daniele, VP, Commercial Support, promoted to senior VP, commercial
• Bill Hackney, VP, merchandise pricing & analysis, promoted to senior VP, merchandising
• Jim Griffith, VP, store development promoted to senior VP, store operations
• Rod Halsell, VP, distribution promoted to senior VP, supply chain

The nation’s leading automotive specialty retailer realigned responsibilities among a trio of senior executives.

Woodbridge, N.J. -- Levin Management announced that T.J.Maxx has joined St. Georges Crossing in Woodbridge, New Jersey. The 23,000 sq. ft. free-standing T.J.Maxx store will anchor the fully leased, 340,000 sq. ft. shopping center.

St. Georges Crossing is located at the intersection of Routes 1 & 9 and 35. The center includes a mix of retail, restaurant and service tenants: ShopRite, P.C. Richard & Son, PetSmart and Pier 1 Imports, Golf Galaxy, AutoZone, Bertucci’s and Wine Country.

The nation’s leading automotive retailer ended its most recent fiscal year the same way it has for the past nine years – with double-digit profit growth and a favorable outlook for the coming year.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney nabbed a key executive from Home Depot and also one from Target Corp. as it seeks to maximize the power, reach and integration of its omnichannel efforts.
 
The department store retailer named Michael Amend, former VP of online, mobile and omnichannel for Home Depot, to the position of executive VP of omnichannel effective immediately. He fills a position previously held by Mike Rodgers who left the company.