Financial/Banking

Dallas — Neiman Marcus saw adjusted profits slip in the third quarter, even as revenues and comps rose.

For the quarter ended May 3, the company reported a net loss of $2.7 million, compared with net income of $70.8 million in the year-ago period.  On an adjusted basis, however, the company reported earnings of $45.1 million compared with $78.7 million last year.

Also in the quarter, the company reported total revenues of $1.16 billion, up from $1.10 billion in the year-ago period. Same-store sales rose 5.9%.

San Francisco — Lower gross profits and higher pretax losses helped drive The Gymboree Corp.’s net loss to $15 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, up from $2.85 million a year earlier. The retailer plans to open 50 new stores and close 25-30 existing stores during the fiscal year.

Net sales shrank 7% to $272 million from $292.78 million. Same-store sales dropped 10%. Gymboree plans to open new stores fairly evenly across its brands, and will spend $35-$40 million in capital expenditures during fiscal 2014.

Corte Madera, California — Furniture and housewares retailer Restoration Hardware reported a profit of $1.8 million in the quarter ended May 3, compared with a loss of $161,000 last year. Results topped Wall Street expectations and prompted the company to raise its outlook for the year.

Revenue grew 22% to $366.3 million, from $301.3 million in the year-ago period. Wall Street predicted $346.7 million.
 

San Jose, Calif. — PayPal has launched PassPort, a website designed to provide small businesses with free tools to expand their global sales. PassPort provides country-specific guidance on seasonal sales peaks; shipping and distribution logistics; currency exchange and fees; and customs procedures and taxes.

In addition to holiday-specific content, PassPort presents buying and selling patterns around the globe and across key corridors. PassPort helps businesses start selling internationally quickly via direct links to eBay Marketplace tools.

Lululemon Athletica Inc.'s first-quarter net income plunged 60%, impacted by a one-time tax adjustment. Although its adjusted profit and revenue beat Wall Street's expectations for the quarter, the retailer lowered its full-year earnings forecast.

Lululemon said that CFO John Currie plans to retire by the end of its fiscal year (February 2015).

Scottsdale, Ariz. — P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Inc. is the latest retailer to investigate a possible data breach.

The retailer emailed has been contacted by banks and law enforcement agencies about online reports that credit card and debit card numbers matching ones used at P.F. Chang’s locations between March and May 2o14 have appeared for sale on underground hacker websites.

Media reports indicate the U.S. Secret Service is also investigating the potential breach, although the Secret Service has not publicly commented.

Atlanta — Consumer spending in the United States grew 4.2% year-over-year in May 2014, compared to April’s 4.1% year-over-year growth. According to Spend Trend analysis from First Data Corp., spending growth was driven by May’s warm weather, which specifically spurred spending on travel and home improvement.

Consumer spending in May increased 4.2%, according to the latest SpendTrend report from First Data Corporation, with the retail sector enjoying renewed vigor.

First Data’s SpendTrend tracks same-store point-of-sale data by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT, closed-loop prepaid cards and checks from nearly four million merchant locations serviced by First Data. The spending increase of 4.2%, compared to 4.1% in April.