eCommerce

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores reported Tuesday that net income for the first quarter ended April 30 rose 3% to $3.39 billion, beating Wall Street estimates. Overall results were powered by overseas stores and stringent cost controls, but business in the United States remains soft as U.S. Walmart stores posted an eighth straight quarter of same-store declines.

Wal-Mart's U.S. division recorded a 0.3% dip in same-store revenue, dragged down by a 1.1% drop at its namesake stores. Same-store sales increased 4.2% at Sam’s Club warehouse stores.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Trademark Property Co. announced Monday that it has been engaged by an institutional owner to lease and manage the Shops at Saddle Creek, a 148,000-sq.-ft. lifestyle center in Germantown, Tenn.

Trademark will also be evaluating the feasibility of a major expansion on adjacent land controlled by Saddle Creek’s owner.

San Jose, Calif. -- Chicago-based General Growth Properties announced that Fresco World Market is slated to open at Eastridge Mall, located in Santa Clara County, Calif., by September.

Fresco will take over a former Circuit City building and will feature the largest produce and seafood departments in the county and the Bay area.

A GGP property, Eastridge Mall is anchored by J.C. Penney, Macy's, Sears, Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath & Beyond, Sports Chalet and AMC Theatres.

Wallingford, Conn. -- Edible Arrangements announced on Tuesday aggressive expansion plans, with the goal of opening 150 new locations in 2011, and 200 additional locations in 2012.

During the next several weeks, 19 stores are scheduled to open in 10 states and two Canadian Provinces.

Additionally, two international locations are expected to open soon in Saudi Arabia and another in Oman. Currently, Edible Arrangements has over 934 open locations, including in 10 countries outside the United States and Puerto Rico.

Belfast, Ireland -- A report in the Belfast Telegraph Tuesday said that Wal-Mart-owned supermarket chain Asda has released plans to open its first George stores overseas as it looks to turn the fashion label into a global retail brand.

The chain has set up a team at George's Lutterworth, Leicestershire base to explore entering into franchise arrangements for the first time. According to the report, George expects to announce its first partner in the Middle East in the next few months, followed by store openings in the first half of 2012.

New York City -- Citing a strong rebound in luxury spending, Saks reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended April 30 soared 51% to $28.4 million, compared with $18.8 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 9% to $726 million, and CEO Stephen Sadove said that he is “increasingly optimistic about the future. With the rebound in the financial markets, the luxury sector has rebounded as well.”

The retailer reported that same-store sales surged 10.2% in the quarter.
 

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW announced Tuesday that it has Todd S. Cordell as senior VP human resources, effectively immediately.

Cordell will be responsible for all HR activities in support of DSW Stores, DSW.com, and the DSW Leased Business Division. 

Cordell was previously VP human resources for Starbucks Coffee Co.

PLANO, Texas — JCPenney posted first-quarter net income and comparable-store sales growth thanks to strong growth in key categories and better management of expenses. 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Samantha Brown, the popular Travel Channel host, has partnered with HSN to launch Samantha Brown Luggage, her first-ever exclusive collection of travel gear. 

"I want to help travelers simplify their lives as they experience the world with luggage that's functional and fashionable at accessible price points," said Brown.

LONDON — Wal-Mart Stores' Asda division Asda confirmed that it was exploring opportunities to franchise its George at Asda range in markets overseas.

The company expects to announce its first overseas franchising partner in the next few months with the intention of establishing a small number of pilot stores in the Middle East in the first half of 2012.

George currently accounts for around half of Asda’s general merchandise sales and is already a growing global brand through Walmart stores in seven countries worldwide, the company reported.