Sales & Marketing

Little Rock, Ark. -- Dillard’s said Friday that net income for the quarter ended April 28 rose to $95 million, from $76.7 million in the year-ago period, setting a company record for profit increases.

Sales rose to $1.55 billion, from $1.47 billion. Same-store sales climbed 5%, the department store retailer’s seventh consecutive quarter of comp increases.

Dillard’s said it saw its greatest strength in the first quarter from the central region of the United States, followed by the eastern and the western regions.

AUSTIN, Texas — Whole Foods is rewarding customer that live a green lifestyle through its new app it created with Whole Planet Foundation and BlueAvocado.

Goodlettsville,Tenn. — Dollar General has awarded grants to more than 593 nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools through the chain's literacy foundation.

There was an increase in the number of circulars retailers released in the month of April, while page counts increased only slightly.

Grapevine, Texas — Ahead of releasing its first quarter results, GameStop said earnings for the quarter were 54 cents per share and that same-store sales fell 12.5%. According to the company, this drop in same-store sales is due to light demand for “AAA” game launches and slower-than-expected store traffic during the quarter.

The company has reaffirmed its full year earnings per share guidance of $3.10 to $3.30.

Dallas -- Loyalty and marketing solutions provider Alliance Data Systems Corp. said Thursday that it has signed a multi-year agreement to create and manage a new private-label credit card program for online jewelry retailer Blue Nile.

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS Caremark held its annual meeting of stockholders at its headquarters on Thursday, and the tone attendees heard was a positive one.

According to president and CEO Larry Merlo, the company is well-positioned for growth in an evolving healthcare market.

Merlo made note in the meeting of Walgreens’ battle with Express Scripts, which has created opportunity for CVS to pick up significant prescription business.

Omaha, Neb. -- Midwestern discount department store retailer Gordman’s Stores said Friday that profit for the quarter ended April 28 rose 10.6% to $8.1 million, compared with $7.3 million in the year-ago period.

Sales rose 13.8% to $133.9 million, from $117.7 million. Same-store sales climbed 4.7%.

“We are pleased with our overall performance and remain confident in our ability to realize our sales and profit guidance for fiscal 2012," said Jeff Gordman, president and CEO.