Sales & Marketing

Nashville, Tenn. -- Kirkland reported Friday a loss of $2 million in the second quarter, widened from a loss of $480,000 in the year-ago period. Revenue edged up 1% to $91 million, missing Wall Street’s expected $94.4 million in revenue.

Same-store sales declined 3.6%.

The retailer has cut its earnings and revenue outlooks for the year.

New York -- The New York Times reported Thursday about Allen Questrom’s on-air visit with CNBC for its Fast Money Halftime Report, during which the former J.C. Penney CEO was very candid about his disapproval of new chief Ron Johnson’s approach to leadership.

Secaucus, N.J. -- The Children's Place Retail Stores reported Thursday a loss of $15.1 million, widened from a loss of $9.8 million in the same quarter last year.

Second quarter net sales increased 5% to $360.8 million, compared with $343.5 million in second quarter 2011. Same-store sales grew 3.4%.
 

Washington, D.C. -- According to the National Retail Federation and BIGinsight’s 2012 Back-to-School survey, families with school and college-aged students as of Aug. 7 say they have more than half of their shopping lists to complete.

The average person with children in grades K-12 has completed 40.1% of their shopping, while college shoppers and their families have completed slightly more at 45.3%.

Overall, school and college shoppers this year are expected to spend a total of $83.8 billion.

New York -- Body Central announced Friday that Thomas W. Stoltz has been promoted to COO and named interim CEO.

Stoltz has served as the company's executive VP and CFO since September 2011 and replaces B. Allen Weinstein, the company's former CEO who retired effective Aug. 16.

Stoltz will also continue to serve as Body Central's CFO.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Limited Brands reported that adjusted earnings per share for the second quarter were 50 cents compared with 48 cents for the same period last year. Adjusted net income was $147.2 million compared with $150.7 million last year. 

Comparable-store sales for the second quarter increased 8%, and net sales were $2.4 billion compared with $2.46 billion last year. 

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores reported Thursday that net income for the second quarter rose 5.7% to $4.02 billion, compared with $3.8 billion in the year-ago period. Total revenue increased 4.5% to $114.3 billion, but missed Wall Street’s forecasted $115.8 billion in revenue.

Same-store sales in the quarter advanced 2.2%, edging Wall Street expectations but trailing last quarter’s 2.6% same-store sales gain.

Columbus, Ohio -- Limited Brands reported Wednesday that net income in the second quarter dropped 38% to $143.6 million, from $231.2 million in the year-ago period.

The owner of Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works and La Senza saw revenue slip 2% in the quarter to $2.4 billion, meeting Wall Street expectations. Same-store sales grew 8%.

The company also raised its earnings guidance for the year, although it expects a weak third quarter.