Retail

Green Bay, Wis. -- Shopko said Wednesday that it has named Michael B. Cooper as senior VP marketing for the company, charged with leading the branding strategy and marketing initiatives.  

Cooper joined Shopko from Office Depot, where he was most recently VP marketing, and directed the office supply retailer’s strategic planning and allocation of the company’s marketing budget.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings has launched a new business unit that will focus on the development of entertainment-driven fashion and lifestyle brands. The unit, called Shop Your Way brands, will be lead by Bernt Ullmann and his team from Star Branding, whose partners include Tommy Hilfiger, Andy Hilfiger, and Joe Lamastra.

Arlington, Va. -- A statement by The Retail Industry Leaders Association regarding President Obama’s 2014 budget proposal was issued Wednesday, saying, “While we applaud the President for recognizing the urgent need for revenue neutral corporate tax reform, his proposal falls short of the bold reforms needed.” said Bill Hughes, SVP government affairs.  

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores reported a net sales increase of 17.7% to $2.89 billion for its second quarter. Net income per diluted share for the quarter increased 5.2% to $1.21.

Union, N.J. -- Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. reported Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended March 2 increased 14% to $373.9 million, compared with $351 million in the year-ago period. But the retailer’s guidance for the current quarter came up short.

Sales leaped 24.5% to $3.401 billion, from $2.732 billion, and same-store sales rose 2.5%.

For the fiscal year, net earnings rose 12% to $1.038 billion), from $989.5 million. Full-year revenue rose 14.9% to $10.915 billion, and same-store sales for fiscal 2012 increased 2.7%.

Matthews, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores reported Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended March 2 edged up to $140.1 million, compared with $136.4 million in the year-ago period.

Sales increased 17.7% to $2.89 billion from $2.46 billion, and same-store sales rose 2.9%.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation issued a statement on Tuesday in support of the International Longshoreman’s Association’s approval of a new long-term master labor contract covering port terminal operations along the East and Gulf Coast ports.

UNION, N.J. — Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. reported net earnings of $1.68 per diluted share ($373.9 million) in the fiscal fourth quarter ended March 2, 2013, an increase of approximately 14% versus net earnings of $1.48 per diluted share ($351 million) in the same quarter a year ago.