Sales & Marketing

New York City -- Saks’ Off 5th outlet division announced Tuesday that it plans to open four new stores this year – Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Northbrook, Ill., and Charleston, S.C.

Additionally, the Off 5th arm said it will open a new store at the Market at Town Center in Sugar Land, Texas, that will replace its store located at The Fountains in Stafford, Texas.
 

LAKELAND, Fla. — Supermarket chain Publix has confirmed the termination of the lease arrangements with The Little Clinic within select store locations in Florida and Georgia.

The move marks the end of Publix’s five-year partnership with The Little Clinic, which is part of Solera Capital’s portfolio. Solera Capital had acquired The Little Clinic’s predecessor in 2005.

Pittsburgh -- Dick's Sporting Goods reported Tuesday that net income for the first quarter rose to $37.5 million, compared with $26.2 million a year earlier.

Net sales increased 6.3% to $1.1 billion. Same-store sales rose 2.1%.

The retailer will open 34 new Dick's Sporting Goods stores in 2011, as well as remodel 14 existing locations. It also plans to open approximately three Golf Galaxy stores and relocate one Golf Galaxy store this year.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — DSW has named Todd Cordell as SVP human resources.  Cordell will be responsible for all human resources activities in support of DSW Stores, DSW.com, and the DSW leased business division.  

"Todd brings a wealth of experience and expertise in all areas of the Human Resources function, most particularly Organizational Development," said Michael MacDonald, CEO of DSW Inc.  "I am confident Todd will help DSW attract, develop and retain top talent in support of our key strategic growth initiatives."

Fort Worth, Texas -- Trademark Property Co. announced Monday that it has been engaged by an institutional owner to lease and manage the Shops at Saddle Creek, a 148,000-sq.-ft. lifestyle center in Germantown, Tenn.

Trademark will also be evaluating the feasibility of a major expansion on adjacent land controlled by Saddle Creek’s owner.

Belfast, Ireland -- A report in the Belfast Telegraph Tuesday said that Wal-Mart-owned supermarket chain Asda has released plans to open its first George stores overseas as it looks to turn the fashion label into a global retail brand.

The chain has set up a team at George's Lutterworth, Leicestershire base to explore entering into franchise arrangements for the first time. According to the report, George expects to announce its first partner in the Middle East in the next few months, followed by store openings in the first half of 2012.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores reported Tuesday that net income for the first quarter ended April 30 rose 3% to $3.39 billion, beating Wall Street estimates. Overall results were powered by overseas stores and stringent cost controls, but business in the United States remains soft as U.S. Walmart stores posted an eighth straight quarter of same-store declines.

Wal-Mart's U.S. division recorded a 0.3% dip in same-store revenue, dragged down by a 1.1% drop at its namesake stores. Same-store sales increased 4.2% at Sam’s Club warehouse stores.

Atlanta -- Home Depot reported Tuesday that profit rose 12% in the first quarter, beating Wall Street estimates and causing the retailer to boost its outlook for the full year.

Home Depot earned $812 million in the quarter ended May 1, compared with $725 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue, however, slipped 0.2% to $16.82 billion on a weaker spring selling season, missing analysts’ expectations of $17.06 billion.

Same-store sales dipped 0.6%, with U.S. stores down 0.7%.