Retail

Dollar Tree’s fourth quarter results were affected by the extra week in last year’s fourth quarter as well as continued economic challenges.

On a year-over-year basis, net income during the fourth quarter declined about 7% to $213 million from $228.6 million, and during the full year fell about 4% to $596.7 million from $619.3 million.

New York – Barnes & Noble swung from a net loss in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 to a net profit in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, even as revenues dropped.

Net earnings in the third quarter totaled $63.2 million, compared to a $3.7 million net loss in the same period a year earlier. Total revenues dropped 10.3% to $1.99 billion from $2.22 billion. A 50% revenue drop in the company’s Nook segment helped drive the overall decline, although all the company’s retail and college verticals also reported revenue drops.

Target continues to cope with the fallout of a data breach, which, as expected, hurt the company’s fourth-quarter results.

The company incurred $61 million in expenses related to the breach during the quarter, but was able to bring the total impact to $17 million after applying a $44 million insurance payment.

But the retailer added that it is not only unable to estimate future expenses related to the data breach but also warned that those costs may adversely affect operations results in the first quarter and full-year 2014 and future periods.

St. Louis -- A majority (74%) of U.S. contractors are unaware of upcoming 2015 regional standards for unitary air conditioning and heat pump systems, according to a survey by Emerson Climate Technologies Inc. Nearly 80% of contractors were unaware of 2015 part-load efficiency requirements for light commercial split, package and rooftop systems, and 84% are unaware of the 2015 chiller standards. Unlike the 2005 regulation changes, the 2015 changes will affect both residential and commercial efficiency standards.

Dallas — SRS Real Estate Partners has hired Michael Straus as an associate in the Chicago office. Straus will focus on tenant and landlord representation as well as new business development.

He brings more than 15 years of managerial and sales experience to SRS. Prior to signing on with SRS, he worked for Student Transportation of America where he oversaw all aspects of operations and managed more than 1,100 employees across the Midwest. He managed sales and contract negotiations, lease renewals, development and acquisitions.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation welcomed a proposal to reform the nation’s tax structure announced Wednesday by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich., saying it would strengthen the economy and jobs.

Bed Bath & Beyond has promoted Eugene A. Castagna, previously CFO and treasurer, to the role of chief operating officer. Susan E. Lattmann, formerly VP of finance, will fill the CFO and treasurer spot.

Fort Worth, Texas — Trademark Property Co. has announced multi-year leases for seven new tenants soon to open in Alliance Town Center in North Fort Worth, Texas.