Supply Chain & Merchandising

Corpus Christi, Texas – Susser Holdings Corp. reported net income of $12.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to a net loss of $4.3 million in the same quarter a year earlier. The elimination of a debt refinancing charge helped bring Susser back to profitability.

Susser plans to open 17 new Stripes convenience stores by the end of the year. The company also is is on track to merge with Dallas-based natural gas and propane company Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) in the third quarter of fiscal 2014.

Gap posted positive comps in July for the four-week period ended August 2, buoyed by sales at Banana Republic; but preliminary second-quarter results show that comparable store sales were flat compared to the same period last year.

Net sales in July increased 5% to $1.17 billion compared with net sales of $1.12 billion for the four-week period ended August 3. For the second quarter, Gap Inc.’s net sales increased 3% to $3.98 billion compared with $3.87 billion for the second quarter last year.

Seattle – Online specialty jewelry and diamond retailer Blue Nile Inc. reported net income of $2.17 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2014, a 1% drop from $2.2 million in the second quarter of the previous fiscal year. Net sales also decreased 1%, to $1.06.6 million from $108 million.

Blue Nile cited falling diamond prices as having an adverse effect on its financial performance during the quarter.

San Antonio, Texas - CST Brands Inc. has entered into definitive agreements to purchase 100% of the membership interests of Lehigh Gas GP LLC, the general partner of Lehigh Gas Partners LP, from Lehigh Gas Corporation.The aggregate consideration will be $17 million in cash and approximately two million CST shares.

New York – Ann Inc. expects to report a 2.3% decline in consolidated same-store sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2014. Total company net sales are now expected to be $648 million.

Stein Mart is marking its ninth consecutive quarter of positive sales. The company reported total sales of $75.3 million for July, a 0.9% increase from $74.6 in the prior year.

The company has generated $298.1 million in total sales for the second quarter so far, a 2.5% increase from $290.9 in the year-ago period. Comparable-store sales have increased 1.3%.

Brussels, Belgium – Delhaize Group, parent company of U.S. supermarket chains including Food Lion and Hannaford Bros., swung to a net loss of $60.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to net income of $140.3 million in the same period a year earlier.

Impairment charges in Delhaize’s Serbian business and loss of market share in its home Belgium market contributed to the retailer’s poor profit performance. Revenue rose 0.5% to $7.04 billion, from $7.01 billion. U.S. same-store sales rose 3.3%.

New York -- Costco Wholesale Corp. fell slightly short of estimates in July even as most other retailers who still report same-store monthly sales outperformed expectations.

The warehouse club giant reported a 5% rise in same-store sales for July, excluding gasoline, falling short of estimates for a 5.7% increase. The company said foreign currencies had a slightly negative impact. It was the first time in five months that Costco's sales have increased less than expected. Costco's total revenue for the month increased 9% to $8.55 billion.