Retail

Dallas -- Neiman Marcus Group swung to a profit in the second quarter, helped by a 15% increase in online sales and its acquisition of Germany luxury online retailer MyTheresa.

The upscale retailer reported a profit of $27.8 million in the quarter ended Jan. 31, compared with a loss of $84.0 million in the year-ago period. (Neiman’s loss last year was partially credited to expenses related to

Revenue grew to $1.52 billion from $1.43 billion in the prior-year period. Same-store sales and online sales rose 5.6%.

Toano, Va. – Lumber Liquidators has been making the wrong kind of headlines recently, but the specialty hardwood flooring retailer has some good news to share about its expanded showroom store format. Currently, nearly a third of Lumber Liquidators’ 350-plus store locations have implemented the expanded showroom and that number will continue to rise throughout the next several years.   

Cary, N.C. -- The Pantry moved one step closer to its merger with Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard as Pantry stockholders approved the merger agreement at a special meeting on March 10.

The stockholders cast 19,725,407 votes for the deal and 71,442 votes against the deal, with 34,806 abstaining, according to documents The Pantry filed with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC).

Baltimore -- Under Armour has opened its largest store to date, on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. With nearly 30,000 sq. ft. of retail space, the store is designed to provide an immersive and interactive brand experience.  It features the latest in video and digital technology, and also includes a section dedicated to wearable fitness devices.  And for a local feel, a large wall is covered in ivy, inspired by the Wrigley Field ivy.
 

Philadelphia – Net income fell at Urban Outfitters Inc. during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, but still beat Wall Street expectations.

Urban Outfitters reported net income of $80.3 million, down 9% from $88.68 million the same quarter a year earlier.  Lower initial merchandise markups, increased markdowns and higher selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses all contributed to the decline.

Norwalk, Conn. – Specialty retailer Dooney & Bourke has migrated its digital commerce operations from an on-premise solution to Demandware Commerce. The new site provides consumers with an enhanced online shopping experience, serving more than 40 countries in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Grapevine, Texas – GameStop Corp. is launching a nationwide rollout of Apple Pay to its more than 4,200 U.S. video game stores this month. In GameStop stores, Apple Pay will work with the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and the upcoming Apple Watch.

New York – Cost-cutting and margin improvement in the struggling Nook e-reader segment helped Barnes & Noble Inc. boost consolidated net earnings 14% to $72 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to $63 million in the year-ago period.    

Consolidated revenue slipped 1% to $1.39 billion from $1.4 billion. Same store sales at Barnes & Noble Inc. (excluding Nook) increased 1.7%.