Financial/Banking

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Dillard's has named Chris Johnson as the company's VP real estate. Johnson, who has served as the Dillard's VP accounting since 2006, will assume the role following the retirement of James Cherry, Jr. in December.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. reported Thursday a loss of $132 million for the second quarter, tightened from a loss of $146 million in the year-ago period. Sales dropped 6.6% to $9.47 billion and same-store sales declined as well, by 2.9% at U.S. Sears stores and by 4.7% at its Kmart units.

Walmart was ranked second on this year’s Latina Style 50 Report, the publication announced earlier this week.

Now in its 15th year, the Latina Style 50 report seeks to identify companies that are providing the best career opportunities for Latinas in the U.S. Cable television operator Comcast was this year’s top ranked company.

Costco co-founder and former CEO Jim Sinegal appeared on CNBC Wednesday morning to offer a preview of his speech last night at the Democratic National Convention and explain why he supports the re-election of president Barack Obama.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. announced on Wednesday that it plans to take its Blackhawk Network Holdings Inc. gift card and payment services unit public. Blackhawk sells gift cards at supermarkets and through other stores, including drug stores and convenience stores.

Safeway said it plans to file a registration statement for a potential initial public offering of a minority stake in Blackhawk and hopes to complete the IPO sometime in the first half of 2013, depending on market conditions.

Beaumont, Texas -- Conn's Inc. posted a better-than-expected a second-quarter profit of $11.6 million, compared with a loss of $3.1 million in the year-ago period. The company also raised its full-year profit forecast for the third time.

Conn’s said revenue rose 10.9% to $207.4 million. Same-store sales rose 21.5% for the quarter, fueled by a 57.5% rise in same-store sales of furniture and mattresses.

New York -- Hudson’s Bay Co., owner of the Lord & Taylor and The Bay chains, plans to file for an initial public offering, according to The New York Times.

A listing, which is expected to be on the Toronto Stock Exchange, could come this fall, before the end of November, the report said, with as much as 20% of the company being sold to the public.
 

Norwalk, Conn. -- GE Capital, Corporate Retail Finance announced it is co-collateral agent on a $1.65 billion asset-based credit facility for Supervalu Inc.

The loan will be used for working capital needs and to refinance existing debt. GE Capital Markets served as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner.

“This financing will provide Supervalu with more financial flexibility as we execute our business turnaround.” said Sherry Smith, executive VP and CFO of Supervalu.