Mass Merchant

St. Louis -- Brown Shoe Co., parent to the Famous Footwear chain, reported Thursday a loss of $4.6 million for the second quarter, compared with a profit of $5.3 million in the year-ago period.

Sales increased 7.2% to $628.1 million, from $585.8 million.

Suppliers to Walmart will have plenty of opportunities to hear from Walmart EVP merchandising Duncan Mac Naughton in the months ahead.

First up is Walmart’s annual meeting for financial analysts held each fall and slated for Oct. 11 to 12 this year. An agenda isn’t yet available, but Mac Naughton presumably will be a featured participant, or at least he should be considering Walmart’s ongoing efforts to revive U.S. sales and recent moves Mac Naughton has made to the structure and leadership of the merchandising organization.

Columbus, Ohio -- Big Lots reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended July 30 declined 8% to $35.7 million, compared with $38.9 million a year earlier. The company cited same-store sales declines and a charge related to its new Canadian stores for the performance slip.

Revenue rose 3% to $1.17 billion from $1.14 billion. Same-store sales fell 1.5%.

Big Lots acquired Liquidation World in July as part of a strategy to expand into Canada.
 

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Despite a comps dip during its second quarter, Big Lots performance was enough for the company to raise its fiscal 2011 guidance.

Big Lots reported net income of $35.7 million, or 50 cents per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 ended July 30.  This compares with net income of $38.9 million, or 48 cents per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2010. 

Amsterdam -- Royal Ahold NV reported Thursday that net income in the second quarter declined to $287 million from $290 million a year earlier, dragged down by performance of its U.S.-based Stop & Shop grocery stores.

The company cited increased competition in the U.S. for its lackluster quarter. Ahold said it will seek to limit price increases and cut costs in the United States, particularly at its Giant-Carlisle chain, which competes with Wal-Mart Stores.

Second-quarter sales declined 3.5% to $9.9 billion.

 

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL & Associates Properties,  announced a 6,000-sq.-ft. expansion to The Shoppes at Hamilton Place, a 125,000-sq.-ft. associated center in Chattanooga with existing anchors Ross dress for Less, Marshalls, and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

The expansion will locate in the undeveloped parcel in front of the center and will bring new retailers and restaurants to the area including Sweet Peppers Deli, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, and Bath Junkie.   

By Liana Hill, [email protected]

NEW YORK  — Classified Cosmetics announced that it has launched a line of aerobrush products at select Walmart stores and Walmart.com.

The Aero Minerale line at Walmart  includes a 5-in-1-makeup primer that preps the brows, lids, lashes, face and lips with a quick 2-second spray. According to the company, the Aero Minerale Hydrating Mineral Primer can also transform any powdered shadow into a dramatic, versatile cream.