Financial/Banking

Toronto – Canadian Tire reported strong financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2013. These include an 11% increase in net income, to $139 million from about $128 million.

In addition, revenue grew to $2.83 billion from $2.7 billion. Consolidated same-store sales grew 3.1% across the Canadian Tire, FGL Sports, and Mark’s banners.

New York – Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity was strong in the retail and consumer industry during the third quarter of 2013. Data from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) shows that transaction values on M&A deals in the retail/consumer sector rose 112% compared to the same quarter a year earlier.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Kmart will offer lease-to-own financing at stores nationwide this holiday season. The latest addition to Kmart's portfolio of financial services, the lease-to-own program began to rollout at Kmart stores in test markets as of Oct. 15 and will be available in all stores by Nov. 22. Giving customers a no credit-required way to take home the items they need right away, lease-to-own financing will be available year-round for merchandise priced at $150 and over.

New York -- Office Depot and OfficeMax announced the completion of their merger late Tuesday and from the looks of third quarter results released the same day the deal should prove beneficial to both companies.

Office Depot said its third quarter same store sales declined 2%, while OfficeMax said its comps dropped 2.8% in the U.S. and 2.2% in Mexico.

The combined company will use the name Office Depot, Inc. and will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ODP.

Kmart is planning to roll out lease-to-own financing at stores nationwide ahead of the holiday season. The retailer began testing the program in mid-October and plans to make it available in all stores by Nov. 22.

Customers will be able to take home items priced at $150 and more for no credit, including appliances, mattresses, furniture, lawn and garden equipment, consumer electronics, service plans and others. To qualify, customers must be at least 18 years old, earn at least $1,000 per month and supply a social security or tax identification number when applying.

St. Louis – Most Americans will spend the same or less on holiday shopping this year as they did last year. According to a recent survey by financial services firm Edward Jones, 37% say they plan to spend less on holiday shopping in 2013 than they spent in 2012.

Energizer Holdings named Loop Capital Markets general counsel and HanesBrands board member as the newest member of its board.

JetPay Payment Services has appointed Jeffry A. Beene as the company’s SVP for risk management. Beene has more than 20 years of experience within the merchant acquiring industry.

JetPay Payment Services is an end-to-end payments processing provider. Along with its sister company, JetPay Payroll Services, the company now offers a complete line of vertically integrated financial services to businesses across the country, including payment processing, payroll and tax filing, human resource management and prepaid card services.