Retail

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Limited Brands reported that adjusted earnings per share for the second quarter were 50 cents compared with 48 cents for the same period last year. Adjusted net income was $147.2 million compared with $150.7 million last year. 

Comparable-store sales for the second quarter increased 8%, and net sales were $2.4 billion compared with $2.46 billion last year. 

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — KitchenAid has introduced new freestanding French door refrigerators that utilize a system of cutting-edge advancements to help extend the storage life of both fresh and frozen ingredients. These latest models join a collection of freestanding side-by-side models available with its Preserva Food Care System, designed to control the humidity, ethylene gas and odors that can rob foods of their freshness.

Walmart is among a group of pharmacy retailers working on an educational initiative with the U.S. department of Health and Human Services.

As part of a partnership with HHS, Walmart and Sam’s Club are providing information online to help educate Medicare recipients about the range of tax-payer funded “free” services available to them under the Affordable Care Act.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys“R”U opened its first stores in Beijing this weekend, marking its continued expansion across China. 

Sales for the second quarter ended July 28 increased 10.5% to $1.7 billion thanks to a 4.5% increases in same store sales and the addition of 77 new Dollar Tree stores, the company announced Thursday. Net income increased 25.6% to $119.2 million and earnings per share increased 30.8% to 51 cents. The profit performance met analysts’ estimates, but guidance for the third quarter in the range of 47 cents to 51 cents was a penny less than the 52 cents Wall Street expected and shares of the company sold off sharply after the earnings report.

Black & Decker has introduced the GYRO 4V MAX Lithium-ion Rechargeable Screwdriver (BDCS40G), a motion-activated screwdriver that controls variable speed and direction. The variable speed feature and direction change that occurs with a twist of the wrist provide improved control.

With the screwdriver’s gyroscopic technology, users only need to rotate their wrist one-quarter turn to the right for forward or left for reverse.

Sam’s Club is temporarily suspending is membership fee this weekend to engage in Texas’ tax-free holiday and promote new member sign ups.

The tax-free holiday for back-to-school products begins today and runs through Sunday. Texas is home to 74 of Sam’s 613 U.S. clubs, and during the same three-day period Sam’s will allow non-members to shop its clubs.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — A new era is beginning at Ross Stores, as the company set out plans to elect a new CEO in 2014. At the same time, the company continues to put its trust behind vice chairman and CEO Michael Balmuth, agreeing to extend Balmuth's employment agreement through May 2016.