PetSmart LLC

PHOENIX — PetSmart has reported earnings of 61 cents per share, up 33% compared with 46 cents per share in the first quarter of 2010. Net income totaled $71 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared with $56 million in the first quarter of 2010.

Total sales for the first quarter of 2011 increased 6.8% to $1.5 billion. The increase in net sales was partially impacted by $4 million in favorable foreign currency fluctuations, the company reported. Comparable-store sales grew 5%, benefitting from comparable transactions growth of 2.7%. 

Phoenix -- PetSmart reported Wednesday that net income in the first quarter rose 28% to $70.9 million, compared with $55.6 million in the year-ago period. Results beat Wall Street expectations.

Revenue increased almost 7% to $1.49 billion, from $1.40 billion in the previous year. Same-store sales rose by 5%.

Newport Beach, Calif. -- Grubb & Ellis Co. said that Cole Real Estate Investments has selected members of the company’s Retail Group to lease Whittwood Town Center, a 686,211-sq.-ft. shopping center in Whittier, Calif.

Whittwood Town Center is approximately 97% leased, with national tenants including J.C. Penney, Target, Vons, Kohl’s, PetSmart, 24 Hour Fitness and Panera Bread.

Wilkes-Barre, Pa. -- Metro Commercial announced that it has inked a new lease for Banana Republic Outlet at Arena Hub Plaza, located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

The new, 7,380-sq.-ft. store is slated to open in fall 2011. Other tenants in the 524,000-sq.-ft. power center include Lowe’s, Best Buy and PetSmart.

New York City -- Retailers across the nation issued updates on their environmental initiatives in the days leading up to Earth Day, April 22. Starbucks Coffee Co. released its tenth annual "Global Responsibility Report," noting it has reduced water use, increased its renewable energy purchases and is testing a new energy management story (see story here).

Phoenix -- PetSmart celebrated Earth Day on Friday with the announcement that its distribution center in McCarran, Nev., has been awarded Silver Certification under the LEED (Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design) for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance rating system.

Wheaton, Ill. -- Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.-based Mid-America Asset Management said that Yoga By Degrees and Smashburger recently signed leases at Rice Lake Square in Wheaton, Ill., a western suburb of Chicago.

The independently owned yoga studio is slated to open this spring in 4,598 sq. ft. of space. Denver-based Smashburger, a privately held gourmet burger chain, leased 2,200 sq. ft. of space, with plans to open this summer.

Rice Lake Square is a 251,313-sq.-ft. shopping center anchored by Whole Foods, Stein Mart, Borders and PetSmart.

San Marcos, Texas -- The Commercial Retail Division of The Weitzman Group said that Ulta has leased 14,798 sq. ft. of retail space in Red Oak Village, a power retail center located near Austin, Texas.

At Red Oak Village, Ulta joins a line-up that includes Sam’s Club, Bed Bath & Beyond, Marshalls, Best Buy, PetSmart, Ross Dress for Less and other retailers and restaurants.

Omaha, Neb. -- New York City-based The Lightstone Group said Thursday that Guitar Center has signed a 10-year, 18,000-sq.-ft. lease at Oakview Plaza located in Omaha, Neb.

Built in 1999, Oakview Plaza is a power center that serves Omaha's westward expansion, and comprises three single-story retail buildings located on approximately 19.6 acres of land and containing approximately 177,303 rentable sq. ft. It is tenanted by Famous Footwear, Men's Warehouse, PetSmart, Panera, Dick's Sporting Goods and Babies "R” Us.

Profits at the nation’s largest pet specialty chain surged 26% during the fourth quarter as same-store sales advanced 6.3% and total sales grew 8.1% to $1.5 billion.

“Our third consecutive quarter of accelerating comparable transactions growth as well as a strong holiday performance led to better-than-expected results for the quarter,” said PetSmart president and CEO Bob Moran.