Supply Chain & Merchandising

Framingham, Mass. -- TJX Cos. reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended July 28 soared 20.9% to $421.1 million, up from $348.3 million and marking the discounter’s third consecutive quarter of rising profits.

Revenues beat projections by climbing 8.7% to $5.95 billion.

The owner of the Marshalls and T.J. Maxx chains raised its full-year profit forecast.

Washington, D.C. -- Fueled by strength from department stores, electronics and the automobile sector, retail sales advanced 0.8% in July, the first gain in four months, according to a report released Tuesday by the Commerce Dept.

The bigger-than-expected increase followed a 0.7% decline in June that was weaker than first reported. Bloomberg forecast a 0.3% rise in July. The results have buoyed feelings overall that the economy may be improving, albeit at a moderate pace.

Home Depot Tuesday reported sales of $20.6 billion for the second quarter of 2012, a 1.7% increase from the second quarter of fiscal 2011. Comparable sales for U.S. stores were positive 2.6%, and overall same-store sales for the second quarter were positive 2.1%.

Net earnings for the world’s largest home improvement retailer were $1.53 billion for the second quarter, which ended July 29. This compares with net earnings of $1.36 billion in the same period a year ago, reflecting a 12.4% increase.

Sharon, Pa. -- Casual-dining chain Quaker Steak & Lube said Monday it has opened its 50th restaurant in Lakewood, Ohio, and is on track to open 10 additional restaurants this year. The brand also will be expanding to six new markets with five franchise groups over the next several years.

"Over the past six months, we signed agreements to develop 11 new restaurants around the country, including three corporate locations in Texas," said John Longstreet, president and CEO.

CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif. — 99 Cents Only Stores is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Since its founding in 1982, the chain has expanded to 302 extreme value stores in four states consisting of 220 stores in California, 37 in Texas, 29 in Arizona, and 15 in Nevada. As part of the celebration, the company is converting 40 semi-trucks from diesel to clean-burning compressed natural gas. Additionally, the company is offering a free reusable shopping bag to customers who visit the store this weekend and purchase at least $9.99 worth of merchandise.

City of Commerce, Calif. -- 99 Cents Only Stores said Monday it will convert 40 semi-trucks from diesel to clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG).

This new fleet, according to the discounter, is the largest private Class-8 CNG trucking fleet in Southern California.

The move comes as part of 99 Cents Only’s plan to become a greener organization and ties in with the chain’s 30th anniversary since its debut in 1982.

Dubai, India -- A Monday report by Reuters said that French retailer Auchan has entered into a franchise agreement with Max Hypermarket, India.

Max operates 13 hypermarkets in India, which will be rebranded as Auchan stores in early 2013.

The pair said they plan to open 12-15 new stores annually across India. Because Max Hypermarket India Ltd is controlled by retail and hospitality company Landmark Group, which operates hypermarkets under the Max brand only in India and therefore is not restricted under foreign ownership regulations.

Columbus, Ohio -- Express said Friday that one of its subsidiaries has entered into a franchise agreement with Fastco Commercial S.A., a retail franchise operator, to open more than 30 Express stores over a five-year period in Panama, Peru, Costa Rica, Colombia, The Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.