Supermarket/Grocery

Look for a big number out of Walmart come early October when it discloses 2012 expansion plans for smaller formats in conjunction with the company’s fall analysts’ meeting. Here’s how you can tell. Reading between the lines on the company’s second quarter earnings call transcript Walmart U.S. president and CEO Bill Simon touted the fact that the return on investment for Neighborhood Market stores is now the same as Walmart supercenters. Recall, in the past the rationale for the slow expansion pace of the 40,000-sq.-ft.

Blend equal parts easy prior year comparisons, the recent easing of gas prices with the pass through of product inflation , and Walmart could be looking at the recipe for same-store sales growth. If not in the third quarter, then certainly by the fourth quarter, which is the line in the sand the company has drawn for its U.S. business.

Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.  -- Centro Properties Group US said that Five Guys Burgers & Fries has opened in Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.

The new 2,400-sq.-ft. restaurant is located at Nesconset Shopping Center, which is owned Centro Properties Group, based in New York City.
 

Dedham, Mass. -- Chestnut Hill, Mass.-based WS Development said that J. Crew has opened at Legacy Place, located in Dedham, Mass.

The 6,000-sq.-ft. J.Crew is located near Sephora, Apple, and Williams-Sonoma and adjacent to Brooks Brothers, Johnston & Murphy and Orvis.

Opened in 2009, Legacy Place is anchored by Whole Foods Market, L.L. Bean, Showcase Cinema de Lux, and Kings.
 

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — Strong performances in key categories and higher gas profitability helped BJ’s Wholesale Club exceed its earnings guidance for the second quarter. The company reported net income for the period ended July 30 of $45.7 million, or 84 cents per diluted share. The company's guidance called for net income in the range of $40.5 to $42.5 million and earnings in the range of 74 cents to 78 cents per diluted share. For the second quarter of 2010, BJ's reported net income of $35.8 million, or 67 cents per diluted share.

Westborough, Mass. -- BJ's Wholesale Club reported Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended July 30 increased 28% to $45.7 million, compared with $35.7 million in the year-ago period.

The warehouse club operator said revenue rose 11% to $3.05 billion from $2.75 billion, beating an expected $2.98 billion. Revenue from membership fees increased to $51.8 million from $47.5 million, while net sales rose to $2.98 billion from $2.69 billion. Same-store sales rose 7.8%, including a 4% contribution from fuel sales.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target reported second quarter earnings per share of $1.03 that beat analysts’ estimates by a nickel, and the company elevated its full year profit forecast amid ongoing success of key initiatives.

Retail sales increased 5.1% to $15.9 billion from $15.1 billion thanks to a 3.9% same-store sales increase and the addition of several new stores. Operating profit for the retail business increased at a slower rate, rising 4.6% to $1.147 billion from $1.096 billion.