Retail

Bolingbrook, Ill. — Ulta Beauty reported a double-digit gain in third-quarter sales and net income. The company said it is planning to open approximately 125 stores in 2013.

For the quarter ended Oct. 27, net income rose 42.5% to $38.2 million. Net sales rose 22.4% to $505.6 million, from $413.1 million in the year-ago period. Same-store sales were up 8.4%.

During the quarter, Ulta opened 49 stores, for a total of 537 stores.

By Jennifer Friedberg, [email protected]

This is the year that retailers stop being afraid of mobile technologies, and instead, are embracing them as a way to engage with, and to better serve, their customers.

The iconic Los Angeles intersection of Sunset and Vine is the location of a new flagship store Walgreens has designated as its 8,000th unit.

LOS ANGELES — Kim, Kourtney and Khloé Kardashian’s eyewear line available through Sears Optical is now available online as well as in stores.

The Kardashian Kollection Eyewear line was introduced at retail locations nationwide in July of this year and includes eyeglasses and sunglasses.

Deerfield, Ill.  -- Walgreens on Saturday will officially open its 8,000th store nationwide and its first flagship on the West Coast. The store, located in Los Angeles at the iconic corner of Sunset and Vine, features an extensive collection of innovative offerings, products and services, many of which are not standard fare.

Walmart and Procter & Gamble have signed on as primary sponsors for LPGA’s tour event in Northwest Arkansas for the next three years.

The event has been a phenomenal success for the region and grown in significance each year by attracting top LPGA talent. Next year, the tournament known officially as the Walmart Northwest Arkansas Championship presented by P&G will be held June 17-23 at the Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers.

Minneapolis -- Christopher & Banks said its net income totaled $3.6 million for the quarter ended Oct.27, compared with a loss $13.7 million in the year-age period.

Revenue rose 2%, to $117.3 million from $114.6 million. The chain has closed more than 100 stores during the last year, but strong sales at its existing locations boosted revenue. Same-store sales rose 13.7%.

Christopher & Banks noted that effective Nov.26, LuAnn Via joined the company as president and CEO.

Walmart moved its quarterly dividend payment up a few days so it would fall in 2012, but Costco took tax avoidance to a new level this week.

In anticipation that tax rates on dividends will rise next year as the federal government flounders for ways to raise revenue rather cut spending, a flurry of companies are paying one time dividends or adjusting payment dates. Walmart falls into the latter camp and said its 39.75 cent per share payment scheduled for January 2 would instead be paid on December 27.