Ross Stores, Inc.

Apprehension regarding shoppers’ willingness to spend during the shortened holiday season has reached the point where even retailers presumably well positioned to benefit from frugality are sounding alarms.

The most recent is Ross Stores vice chairman and CEO Michael Balmuth who shared his concerns about the fourth quarter even as the operator of 1,154 stores reported third quarter sales that were in line with expectations and profits that exceeded guidance due to margin expansion.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores Inc. reported third-quarter profit of $171.6 million, up from $159.5 million a year earlier, on higher sales and gross margins. Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, the off-retailer forecast earnings below Street estimates and said it was adopting a more cautious outlook for the quarter.

SAN FRANCISCO — Mavatar Technologies has appointed Phil Schlein, former president and CEO of Macy's California and partner at U.S. Venture Partners, as chairman of its board of directors. 

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores Inc. reported a profit of $213 million for the second quarter, compared with $182 million last year and beating Wall Street’s expectations.

Revenue rose 9% to $2.5 billion, matching forecasts. Same-store sales edged up 4%, compared to a 7% rise in the same period last year. However, the retailer expressed caution about the months ahead.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Ross Stores credited strong sales and merchandise gross margin for its better-than-expected results for the second quarter ended Aug. 3.

The company reported earnings per share of $.98, up from $.81 for the prior-year quarter — a 21% increase on top of a 27% gain in last year's second quarter. Net earnings for the 2013 second quarter grew to $213.1 million, up 17% from $182 million in the prior year.  

New York -- TJX Cos., The Buckle and Zumiez all reported better-than-expected same-store sales for April, even as concerns about the job market bit into other retailers’ results.
   
TJX Cos. said that same-store sales in April were up 8% on strong customer traffic, better than 6.8% increase that analysts had expected. For the four weeks ended May 4, total revenue rose 9% to $2 billion.
   

TJX and Ross both reported April sales results that exceeded expectations. Same store sales for the four-week period ended May 4, increased 8% for TJX, while Ross saw a same-store sales increase of 7% for the same period.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores Inc. said Thursday its fourth-quarter net income rose 23%, in line with analysts’ projections. The off-price retailer also announced that beginning with the second quarter of fiscal 2013 it will no longer report monthly sales. Instead, quarterly same-store store sales results will be provided with regularly scheduled earnings releases.