Retail

Indianapolis -- The Finish Line’s first-quarter profit more than doubled as the retailer expanded its presence online and in Macy's stores nationwide. Its results topped Wall Street estimates.
 
The retailer reported a profit of $12.4 million, compared to $5.1 million in the year-ago period. Revenue was up 16% to $406.5 million. Same-store sales increased 5%.
 

In an effort to find homes for pets through its new pet adoption service, online retailer Overstock.com has launched a new video featuring animal advocate Jill Rappaport.

Rappaport is a former “Today Show” correspondent, reporting on entertainment for 17 years before turning her attention to animal issues with her segment “Bow to Wow,” which gave shelter dogs a makeover.

Paterson, N.J. — Planet Fitness will open an 18,000-sq.-ft. facility at 100 Hamilton Plaza in Paterson, New Jersey, the facility will occupy the first-floor retail space in the 175,000-sq.-ft. downtown office tower.

Cushman & Wakefield’s East Rutherford, N.J., office represented the building’s owner, Mountain Development Corp. in the transaction. Ripco Real Estate represented the Planet Fitness franchisee, who operates several other regional locations.

Union, N.J. – Bed, Bath and Beyond Inc. had a difficult first quarter of fiscal 2014, missing Wall Street estimates on both profits and sales. Net earnings fell 8% to $187.1 million, from $202.5 million in the same period a year earlier. Sales rose 2% to $2.66 billion from $2.61 billion, and same-store sales climbed 0.4%.

WTI expects July 2014 to trend similar to last year for the U.S. as a whole. The East will trend near normal or cooler than normal, while warmer than normal temperatures will be confined to the West. Overall, the peak of the summer is shaping up to be very similar to 2013 but with a few major timing differences. Unlike 2013, the hotter weather in 2014 will be back-end loaded in the month just as back-to-school shopping begins, which is a negative for early fall apparel, but favorable for clearing out summer inventory.

Fort Myers, Fla. -- Chico's FAS announced that it has appointed Todd E. Vogensen as senior VP, CFO, replacing Pamela Knous, who has left the organization to pursue other interests.

Prior to his appointment as CFO, Vogensen had been the Chico’s senior VP finance. He has served Chico's in numerous roles over the past five years. Previously, Vogensen held multiple positions of increasing scope and responsibility with Michaels Stores.

Arlington, Va. – With the deadline to resolve the union contract negotiations at West Coast closing in, the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) on Friday said that undertaking essential measures to avoid work stoppage and preserve reliable channels for retail supply chains should be the top priority.

RILA issued the following statement, which it attributed to Kelly Kolb, VP government affairs: