Sales & Marketing

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club has invited pitmaster and cookbook author Troy Black to show families how to create the perfect Memorial Day meal. Black will star in a series of grilling demonstration videos that can be viewed on the SamsClub.com/meals "Tips & Videos" tab. The site also features photos and printable recipes on the "Easy Recipes" tab.

New York -- Foot Locker's first-quarter profit rose 36%, exceeding Wall Street predictions. For the quarter ended April 28, the company earned $128 million, up from $94 million in the same quarter last year.

"2012 has gotten off to an outstanding start, with our first quarter results representing the highest level of quarterly earnings in the company's history," said chairman and CEO Ken Hicks.

Sales rose 8.7% to $1.58 billion from $1.45 billion. Same-store sales increased 9.7%.

WAYNE , N.J. — Toys"R"Us has added QR codes to more than 20 large outdoor items to help customers better visualize how the toy would work and look in their own backyards.

Customers can simply scan the QR code of the product they are interested in with their smartphone to view video footage or images of the item fully set up. Many of the products have corresponding videos that showcase kids playing with these fun summer toys.

Bloomfield Hills, Mich. -- Taubman Centers said Thursday that it will begin construction this summer on its 640,000-sq.-ft. Mall of San Juan, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Formerly known as Plaza Internacional, The Mall of San Juan will be a state-of-the-art, two-level, enclosed mall anchored by a 138,000-sq.-ft. Nordstrom and a 100,000-sq.-ft. Saks Fifth Avenue. It will be the first upscale mall on the island and the first and only location in Puerto Rico for both Nordstrom and Saks. 

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores reported Thursday that net income for the first quarter surged 21% to $208.6 million, from $173 million in the same period last year.

Sales increased 14% to $2.4 billion, and same-store sales rose 9%.

“We believe that favorable weather across many of our markets also contributed to our above-plan performance," said Michael Balmuth, CEO, about the results.

Kearney, Neb. -- The Buckle Inc. reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended April 28 increased 13% to $37.8 million, compared with $33.5 million in the year-ago period, as shoppers spent more in the teen retailer’s stores and online.

Sales climbed 10% to $263.8 million, matching Wall Street estimates, and same-store sales rose 7.4%.

Online revenues surged 15% in the period.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- First quarter profits at Walmart exceeded analysts’ estimates as same-store sales increased 2.6% and the company said it strategy of low prices on a broad merchandise assortment is resonating again with shoppers.

Everett, Wash. -- Action sports retailer Zumiez Inc. reported Thursday that profit surged 140% to $4.5 million for the quarter ended April 28, compared with $1.9 million for the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 22.7% to $129.9 million from $105.9 million, and same-store sales climbed 12.9%.

The company said it plans to open 50 stores in fiscal 2012, including up to 10 locations in Canada.