Sales & Marketing

Westborough, Mass. -- BJ's Wholesale Club's fiscal fourth-quarter net income fell 81% on a one-time $41.1 million charge related to store closings, restructuring and asset impairment. But its adjusted earnings beat expectations.

The wholesale club operator earned $10.2 million for the quarter, compared with $54.5 million a year ago.

Net sales for the fourth quarter ended Jan. 29, increased by 7.4% to $2.90 billion, and comparable club sales increased by 3.8%, including a contribution from sales of gasoline of 2.1%.

DENVER -- Walmart announced that it has donated $100,000 to continue the Walmart Tribal College Scholarship Program. This program is providing 33 greatly needed scholarships for the spring 2011 semester, supporting one student at each of the nation's 33 tribal colleges and universities.

New York City -- Retail sales in February rose in most categories ranging from clothing to furniture, despite winter storms and rising gas prices, MasterCard Advisors' SpendingPulse, which tracks spending in all forms including cash. While the increase maintains the positive performance that began in fall 2010. However, February’s year-over-year growth rates were smaller in most categories than those recorded in the November 2010 through January 2011 period.

NEW YORK -- Following its emergence from bankruptcy, Loehmann's announced some executive changes. According to the company, CEO Jerald Politzer, who guided the company through this successful bankruptcy process, has chosen to leave Loehmann's. Joe Melvin, the company's COO and CFO will assume the role of interim CEO.

 ISSAQUAH, Wash. and WESTBOROUGH, Mass. -- The past three-months were favorable to the warehouse sector, as both Costco and BJ’s Wholesale reported quarterly results that were in-line with or beat analysts’ expectations.

Suffern, N.Y. -- Ascena Retail Group's fiscal second-quarter net income nearly doubled to top expectations, buoyed by solid results at its Justice stores.

The company, formerly The Dress Barn, reported net income of $42.5 million for the quarter, up from $21.7 million last year.

Revenue for the period ended Jan. 29 was up 27% to $752.2 million, better than the Street's $716.2 million estimate. Same-sale sales rose 9%.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The weak sales and profits reported Wednesday by West Coast sporting goods retailer Big 5 weren’t a surprise, as the company had warned Wall Street more than a month ago that financial results would be below expectations. 

West Chester, Ohio -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers said it has begun construction to renovate Beckett Commons shopping center, located in West Chester, Ohio.

The center remodel will include demising vacant space into six additional side shop spaces, new exterior façade and awnings, upgraded signage, new roof and HVAC units.