Retail

New York -- L.Brands, parent of Victoria's Secret, reported better-than-expected 3% sales in same-store sales for March. Zumiez Inc. and Buckle Inc. also both reported better-than-expected numbers.

But other retailers were hampered by a colder-than-normal March, which caused many shoppers to put off buying warmer-weather clothing, and an early Easter. At The TJX Companies, same-store sales fell 2% in March, a bigger drop than was expected.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Pier 1's fourth-quarter earnings fell 46% compared with last year, when the chain recorded a large, one-time tax benefit.

The company earned $61.7 million in the three months that ended March 2, compared with $115.2 million in last year's quarter. Revenue rose 16% to $551.6 million. Same-store sales climbed 7.9%.

For the full year, Pier 1 earned $129.4 million on $1.7 billion in revenue.

For its current fiscal year, the chain expects to open 30 stores.

Issaquah, Wash. -- Costco Wholesale Corp reported a 4% rise in same-store sales, missing analysts' expectations for a 5.2% increase. The company said its results were negatively impacted by lower fuel prices and a strong dollar, which hurt the value of its sales overseas.

Net sales at Costco rose 7%to $9.67 billion for the five-week period ended April 7.

New York -- A man who deliberately cut his arms using saws in the aisles of a Home Depot store in suburban Los Angeles on Wednesday is in critical condition, according to media reports.

The man, whose man has not been released, was in the store's tool section when he grabbed several handsaws and began cutting into his upper arms. Panicked customers called 911.

The man was in surgery hours after the incident.

New York -- Drugstore operator Duane Reade announced Wednesday the launch of its first mobile application for iOS devices.  

The app, free in the iTunes store, is intended to facilitate and customer access to Duane Reade’s pharmacy services, photo printers, prescription refills, Balance Rewards offers, account information and in-store maps.  

Henderson, N.C. -- Verge Connect said Wednesday it is powering Fas Mart/Shore Stop’s first smartphone application, which debuted in April across more than 200 locations primarily in Virginia, Connecticut, Maryland and Delaware.

The new application, called Fas APP, integrates with the retailer’s new secure payment card.

Fas Mart/Shore Stop, which are owned by GPM Investments, selected the Verge Connect platform to help build the company’s digital and mobile presence.

Abilene, Kansas -- Alco Stores Inc. said Wednesday it is moving its corporate headquarters from Abilene, Kan., to a suburb of Dallas, citing the need to be “in a more metropolitan area.”

The new Coppell, Texas offices will give the company easy access to many of its stores, other major retailers and transportation for its workers and business partners, CEO Rich Wilson said in a Wednesday statement.

The move is slated to occur in June.

New York -- A Wednesday report by Women’s Wear Daily quoted activist investor Bill Ackman, whose Pershing Square Capital Management is the largest shareholder of J.C. Penney Co., as saying that he won’t abandon the retailer following this week’s CEO shake-up.

"We are not going anywhere," Ackman told WWD in his first public comments since Ron Johnson was fired as CEO on Monday. "In fact, we're going the other direction. We're digging in."