Discount Store

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco reported net sales of $21.85 billion for the third quarter, an 8% increase over sales of $20.19 billion for the same period last year. Comparable-club sales for the quarter increased 5%, which consisted of a 5% increase in the United States and a 5% increase internationally. Excluding the impact of fuel, total comps were still up 5%, however U.S. comps were 4% and international comps were 8% when adjusted for gasoline inflation.

Warrendale, Pa. -- Rue21 reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended April 28 rose 20.6% to $11.6 million, from $9.6 million in the same quarter last year.
   
Net sales increased 18.9% to $205.6 million, from $172.9 million. Same-store sales for the quarter edged up 1.7%.

Bob Fisch, president and CEO said the company is staying its small- and mid-market growth course.

Columbus, Ohio -- Big Lots Inc. posted a lower-than-expected adjusted profit for the first quarter and cuts its full-year earnings outlook.

Big Lots' first-quarter earnings fell 22% to $40.7 million, from $52.5 million a year ago. Sales increased 5.4% to $1.29 billion. Same-store sales edged down 0.8%.

Net profit margin declined to 3.1% from 4.3% a year ago.
 

TOPEKA, Kan. — Net sales at Collective Brands during the first quarter increased 5% to $912.1 million over the same period last year, driven in part by an 8.1% increase in comparable-store sales. The company reported net income of $33.2 million, or 54 cents per share, compared with $26.4 million, or 42 cents per share, in the first quarter of 2011.

New York — Walmart topped the list retailers on the BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands, according to a study commissioned by WPP Group and conducted by Millward Brown Optimor.

The BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands study identifies and ranks the world's most valuable 100 brands by their dollar value, an analysis based on financial data combined with consumer measures of brand equity.

Washington, D.C. -- Combined Properties said that Randy Kenna has joined the company as senior director of development & acquisitions. 

He will be leading the acquisition of new value-add/redevelopment retail and mixed-use projects while also redeveloping portions of Combined's portfolio of retail centers in the region.
 

St. Louis -- Discount grocer Save-A-Lot, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Supervalu, opened its first store in Atlantic City, N.J., on May 17, becoming the first full-service grocery store within a 21-mile radius of the city.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores reported Thursday that net income for the first quarter surged 21% to $208.6 million, from $173 million in the same period last year.

Sales increased 14% to $2.4 billion, and same-store sales rose 9%.

“We believe that favorable weather across many of our markets also contributed to our above-plan performance," said Michael Balmuth, CEO, about the results.