eCommerce

New Albany, Ohio -- Abercrombie & Fitch Co. earned $11.4 million for the second quarter, down from $17.1 million in the year-ago period, amid a 10% drop in same-store sales. The retailer, whose results missed analysts' estimates, also gave a third-quarter earnings forecast well below Wall Street expectations.

Abercrombie & Fitch and many other teen retailers have struggled of late, with their sales impacted not only by financially constrained consumers but also by the inherent fickle nature of their customer base.

Kearney, Neb. -- The Buckle’s net income rose 8% in the second quarter on improved sales. The apparel retailer earned $25.1 million for the three months ended Aug. 3, compared to $23.2 million a year ago.

Revenue grew 8%, to $232.5 million from $215.5 million. Online sales rose 5.3%. Same-store increased 3.2%, short of analysts expectations.
 

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings’ second-quarter loss widened as the company was challenged with store closings, weak sales and deep discounts. Its performance was also impacted by the lingering effects from its spinoff of its Hometown and Outlet Stores banner.

For the period ended Aug. 3, Sears lost $194 million, compared with a loss of $132 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue dropped 6% to $8.87 billion, from $9.47 billion. Same-store sales fell 1.5%, with a 2.1% drop at Kmart and a 0.8% drop at Sears.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. isn’t taking any chances. The retailer on Thursday announced it has adopted a one-year shareholder’s rights plan to protect itself against any future hostile takeover efforts.

ZAANDAM, Netherlands — Dutch supermarket-operating company Ahold has appointed Abbe Luersman as the company’s chief human resources officer.

Ahold said that Luersman, who will report to CEO Dick Boer, will assume the new position on Nov. 1. Ahold's U.S. division operates the Stop & Shop, Giant Food Stores of Carlisle, Pa., and Giant Food of Landover, Md., supermarket banners, as well as the Peapod online grocery service.

WEST CHESTER, Pa. — Leading video and e-commerce retailer QVC has launched a second broadcast channel, QVC Plus. QVC Plus will maintain the QVC brand and television experience including shows, exclusive products and program hosts, airing on a three-hour delay of QVC's current live broadcast.

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Stein Mart is preparing to launch its e-commerce business. The company expects the initiative to have a negative bottom line impact this year, in part, because of startup costs.

For the second quarter ended Aug. 3, however, the company is enjoying total sales of $291 million, up 3.8% from the prior-year quarter. Comparable store sales increased 6.4%. 

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Framingham, Mass. -- Staples said Wednesday that its second quarter net income dropped 15% amid store closings, declining traffic and lower sales of computers, ink and toner. The retailer also cut its full-year earnings and revenue forecasts, citing the weaker-than-expected results.

Staples earned $102.5 million for the period ended Aug. 3, compared to $120.4 million last year.