Sales & Marketing

There was a lot of talk about the favorable membership trends Sam’s Club experienced during the second quarter, thanks to membership and other income that increased 2.5% to $728 million. That prompted Wal-Mart Stores Inc., president and CEO Mike Duke to include Sam’s Club among the list of positive developments he called out regarding the company’s second quarter performance.

“I am also pleased with the momentum in membership income, as Sam’s improves its renewals and upgrades,” Duke said.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings turned in disappointing sales and earnings for its second quarter as the company strives to turn around its performance in a weaker consumer spending environment.

Sears Holdings reported a net loss of $146 million, or $1.37 per diluted share, for the second quarter compared with a net loss of $39 million, or 35 cents per diluted share for the same period last year.

Phoenix -- PetSmart reported Wednesday that net income for its second quarter rose 26% to $61.2 million, up from $48.4 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue increased 7% to $1.49 billion, matching Wall Street expectations.  Same-store sales grew 5%.
 

Chesapeake, Va. -- Dollar Tree reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended July 31 surged 21.7% to $94.9 million, compared with $78 million in the year-ago period. The rise marks the fifth straight quarter of double-digit profit increases.

Revenue rose 12% to $1.54 billion, just missing Wall Street estimates. Same-store sales increased 4.7%.

WASHINGTON — A survey released Thursday by the National Retail Federation found that nearly one third of tablet owners will use the device to purchase back-to-school items.

According to NRF’s 2011 Back-to-School and College surveys conducted by BIGresearch, consumers with smartphones and tablets will use their devices to research products, redeem coupons, look up store information, and even make purchases.

Canton, Mass. -- Casual Male Retail Group reported Thursday that second-quarter net income surged 17% to $6.6 million, compared with $5.6 million a year earlier.

Revenue increased 3.8% to $100.9 million in the period, surpassing Wall Street expectations of $99.5 million.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Centro Properties Group US announced that Charming Charlie has opened a new store in Fort Worth, Texas.

The new 8,878-sq.-ft. store recently opened at Trinity Commons, which is owned by Centro Properties, based in New York City.

 

South Denver’s Park Meadows regional mall is officially 15 years old -- and it is celebrating throughout the month of August with free community entertainment and activities, culminating in a free community pancake breakfast August 30, 2011.