Retail

Dallas -- S&S Enterprises said it has sold a portfolio of 12 Sunoco fuel centers and convenience stores in central and southeast Florida for $32 million to entities managed by Cole Real Estate Investments.

The portfolio consists of 37,275 sq. ft., with seven of the 12 locations having been redeveloped and all locations having received 20-year lease extensions.

HERSHEY, Pa. — The Hershey reported a net sales increase of nearly 6%, driven by core brand volume. Consolidated net sales were $1.8 billion for the first quarter ended March 31, compared with $1.7 billion for the same period last year. 

Reported net income for the first quarter of 2013 was $242 million compared with $199 million for the same period last year.

Huntington Beach, Calif. -- Bruxie announced that it opened its fifth waffle restaurant, with a new unit in Southern California in Huntington Beach on April 23.

Bruxie Gourmet Waffles opened at The Strand on 5th, a collection of shops and restaurants, boutique hotel and office space. Other key retail tenants to the coastal attraction include RA Sushi, Forever 21, Skechers, Active Ride, Rip Curl, Merrilee’s Swimwear, Johnny Rockets, ANGL, and CVS Pharmacy.
 

Atlanta -- Aaron's said that David L. Buck has been named COO. Ken Butler, age 60, will be retiring as COO after a 39-year career at Aaron's effective May 1. He will also resign from the Aaron's board of directors.
   
Buck, age 63, was promoted to senior VP, operations earlier this year. He has risen steadily through the Aaron's management development program during his 24 years with the company.

ATLANTA — Aaron's, a lease-to-own retailer specializing in the sales and lease ownership of residential furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, has named David L. Buck as its new COO.

The company’s current COO, Ken Butler, 60, will retire May 1, after 39 years. Butler will also resign from the board of directors.

Sidney, Neb. -- Cabela’s first quarter profit rose 72.9%, topping expectations, on strong sales of firearms and ammunition. Net income rose to $49.8 million, up from $28.8 million in the year-ago quarter.
 
Revenue increased 28.7% to $802.5 million from $623.5 million last year. Analysts expected revenue of $770.5 million.
   

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway Inc. on Thursday said it earned $118.9 million, in the first quarter ended March 23, up from $72.9 million a year earlier, helped by tax benefits. The company maintained its forecast for the year.

Net sales inched down to $9.99 billion, from $10 billion a year ago, as the company sold its Genuardi’s division. Same-store sales rose 1.5%.

PALM BEACH, Fla. — The NACDS Annual Meeting concluded with the board of directors dinner and the annual presentation of the industry’s lifetime achievement awards.

Renamed the Sheldon W. Fantle Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996 in honor of People’s Drug Stores’ Bud Fantle, the award was originally established in 1989 to recognize exceptional accomplishments and contributions to the industry.

Receiving the award this year were Bob Loeffler, former CEO of H-E-B and past NACDS chairman, and Chain Drug Review editor David Pinto.