Sobeys

(November 1, 2010) Being all things to all people is a sure-fire recipe for failure in today’s segmented retail environment. And no one seems to understand this better than the expanding class of grocery chains focused on natural and organic products.

Two days after announcing the resignation of chairman and CEO Steve Odland, Office Depot on Wednesday announced improved results for the third quarter ended Sept. 25 despite a challenging economic climate which pressured sales. The company said it achieved third-quarter profits of $54 million, reversing a prior-year loss of $413 million, while earnings per share rebounded to 18 cents compared with a prior-year loss of $1.51. Total sales declined 4.3% to roughly $2.9 billion, including the unfavorable effect of foreign exchange rates.

Two days after announcing the resignation of chairman and CEO Steve Odland, Office Depot on Wednesday announced improved results for the third quarter ended Sept. 25 despite a challenging economic climate which pressured sales. The company said it achieved third-quarter profits of $54 million, reversing a prior-year loss of $413 million, while earnings per share rebounded to 18 cents compared with a prior-year loss of $1.51. Total sales declined 4.3% to roughly $2.9 billion, including the unfavorable effect of foreign exchange rates.