Supply Chain & Merchandising

Cincinnati – The Kroger Co. beat Wall Street expectations with strong net earnings and sales results for the second quarter of fiscal 2014. Net earnings rose 9% to $347 million from $317 million, while total sales increased 12% to $25.3 billion compared to $22.7 billion for the same period in the prior year.

Five Below’s profit more than doubled to $8.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2014, from $4.1 million in the same period last year. Its results beat expectations. The chain issued a third-quarter earnings estimate slightly below Wall Street views, while increasing its full-year sales and earnings guidance.

Revenue in the quarter increased 30% to $152.5 million. Same-store sales increased by 3.2%.

Indianapolis — JLL’s Retail Group has been retained to lease and manage Washington Square Mall in Indianapolis. The property’s tenant mix includes more than 80 national, regional and local retailers, and is anchored by Sears, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target and Burlington Coat Factory.

The nearly one-million-square-foot regional shopping mall was built in 1974 and underwent a comprehensive renovation in 1999. Regional manager Rick Vita is leading the JLL team on this assignment.

Walmart released its top toy list for 2014 the same day Toys “R” Us unveiled holiday strategies at its flagship store in New York.

Dodgeville, Wis. — Net income at Lands’ End Inc. grew 5% to $11.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2014 from $11.3 million in the same period a year earlier. Net sales also increased 5%, to $347.2 million from $329.6 million.

Same-store sales improved 2.8%. Lands’ End attributed its positive performance to improved merchandise assortment, modern creative presentation, better inventory management and continued expense controls.

City of Commerce, Calif. — Net income at 99 Cents Only Stores Inc. slightly increased to $2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2014 from $1.9 million a year earlier. Net sales rose 6% to $458.2 million from $433.1 million, while same-store sales increased 0.1%.

99 Cents Only cited the short-term impact of several long-term growth initiatives, as well as California’s ongoing drought, as limiting its financial growth during the quarter.

Carle Place, N.Y. – 1-800-Flowers.com net income almost sextupled to $3.1 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to $538,000 in the previous year period. Continued focus on leveraging its operating platform helped boost net income.

RadioShack posted a net loss of $137.2 million in its second quarter, more than double the $52.2 million loss reported in the year-ago period. It was the troubled retailer’s 10th straight quarterly loss.

RadioShack warned in a regulatory filing it may seek bankruptcy protection, with a possible sale or third-party investment as other potential avenues to remedy its ongoing financial woes.