Retail

Union, N.J. -- Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.’s third quarter net earnings rose to $237.2 million, less than Wall Street expected, from $232.8 million in the year-ago period, as higher costs and expenses impacted sales growth. The company trimmed its full-year earnings outlook.

Revenue for the three months ended Nov. 30 rose 6% to $2.87 billion, from $2.7 billion. Same-store sales increased 1.3%.

Amazon announced a record-setting year for Marketplace Sellers, which sold more than a billion units worldwide, cumulatively worth tens of billions of dollars, in 2013.

Naples, Fla. - Retail and consumer products industry veterans Vince Burke, Jim Gillis and Rich Juliano have founded of the Burke Gillis Juliano Group, a global consultancy focused on the supermarket, mass retail, convenience, drug and specialty retail trade channels. Burke Gillis Juliano Group offers executive management, market strategy, mergers & acquisitions, private equity, business development, product marketing, trade relations and related services to retailers, suppliers and vendors in the U.S. and globally.

In partnership with PlaceWise Media, CBL & Associates Properties has launched websites with technology that connects retailers and customers at 27 of its malls.

The technology collects deals offered by retailers and puts them in front of shoppers via smartphones and tablets. It provides every retailer and restaurant in a mall with an online presence that enables each to engage local customers.

Regional discount retailer Fred’s is making some big changes to its merchandising and operations groups to begin 2014 and has retained several firms to review strategic opportunities.

Issaquah, Wash. - Costco Wholesale Club’s same-store sales rose 3% in December, beating analysts' estimates of a 1.8% gain. The metric climbed 5% in the U.S. and inched up 1% overseas for the five weeks ended Jan. 5.

Total monthly revenue increased 6% to $11.53 billion.

For the 18-week period, same-store sales were up 3%. In the U.S. the metric rose 4% and 1% internationally.

Northbrook, Ill. — Pine Tree Commercial Realty LLC has appointed Graham Grochocinski to serve as the firm’s director of omni-channel marketing and social media.

Grochocinski will handle Pine Tree’s omni-channel retail coordination as well as the firm’s social and digital communications.

Grochocinski comes to Pine Tree from USAgain, an award-winning recycling company, where he managed the integrated marketing efforts for lead generation and branding.

Walmart COO Gisel Ruiz and president of health and wellness John Agwunobi are listed as speakers at events taking place within the next 30 days in Northwest Arkansas.