Sales & Marketing

Lowe’s second-quarter financial report was a disappointment to the company’s executives, who made no excuses for the retailer’s poor showing. Earnings were down slightly, revenues grew by only 1.3%, and comp-store sales were essentially flat. “Even after taking into account the challenges of the macro-environment, we are still not pleased with our performance this year,” said chairman and CEO Robert Niblock, speaking at an analysts’ conference call on Aug. 15.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie Stores said Monday that its fourth-quarter net income fell 48% amid tough competition. The chain attributed the drop to the quarter being a week shorter this year than it was last year.

Winn-Dixie's net income for the quarter that ended June 29 was $7.3 million versus $14 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue fell 4% to $1.62 billion from $1.68 billion last year. Same-store sales rose 3.2%. Although average amount customers spent per visit rose 3.9%, 0.7% fewer shoppers came in, the company said.

New York City -- While it may take some to fully assess the damage, the impact of Hurricane Irene on retail sales is likely to split among retail sectors: Home-improvement stores selling emergency preparation products and clean-up items are likely to benefit the most from the storm, while apparel retailers and department stores selling non-essential items are likely to take a hit.

Madison, Miss. -- Chattanooga, Tenn.-based CBL & Associates Properties has announced the start of construction on Phase II of The Forum at Grandview, a community center in Madison, Miss.

The 83,000-sq.-ft. second phase will include anchors Ulta, Homegoods, Petco and a national arts and crafts retailer, along with 14,000 sq. ft. of specialty stores. The opening of phase II is scheduled for summer 2012.

NEW YORK — Payless announced that it has expanded its partnership with designer Christian Siriano. His expanded collection will arrive Sept. 7 in 2,400 Payless stores across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and Payless.com.

This seasonal collection features a range of modern looks for everyday styling with an assortment of shoes and handbags offered at more moderate, accessible prices starting at $23 an item. 

Dallas -- SRS Real Estate Partners has announced the hiring of Jon Switzer as an associate in the Austin/San Antonio office.

Switzer will specialize in landlord representation, tenant representation, and be a part of the new SRS Urban team.
 

It’s been one extreme or another the past few weeks in the retail world. First, luxury retailers Tiffany and Saks reported strong sales and profits and then on Tuesday Dollar General results showed the low-end consumers have some spending power and a taste for its brand of discount retail.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Tuesday by the Conference Board said that confidence among U.S. consumers sunk to a two-year low in August, as Americans faced continued unemployment woes and worsening business and economic conditions.

The Conference Board’s index plunged to 44.5, the weakest since April 2009 and the biggest point drop since October 2008. Economists predicted the August gauge would fall to 52, according to the median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey.