Supply Chain & Merchandising

Surging profits and a 6.7% first quarter same-store sales increase prompted Dollar General to raise its full year profit forecast by three cents. Family Dollar is scheduled to report comparable results later this month as the small discount store remains on a roll.

HOUSTON — The Men’s Wearhouse raised prices to preserve margins in the face of weak first quarter demand, but it wasn’t enough to prevent profits from falling short of estimates.

The company reported first quarter earnings per share of 52 cents, below guidance of 53 cents to 54 cents a share provided when the company reported fourth quarter results on March 7. Analysts’ expected the company to earn 55 cents a share.

FULLERTON, Calif. — A store-level workforce reduction is planned for Albertsons' Southern California division.

Seattle -- Tommy Bahama Group said Wednesday that Joel Gardner has been promoted to senior VP retail, and Bornie Del Priore has been named VP of Tommy Bahama Footwear, a new division for the company.

Gardner has been with Tommy Bahama since 2006, most recently as VP retail planning and merchandising. Before joining Tommy Bahama, he was VP retail at The Orvis Co.

Del Priore has spent the last four years at Tommy Hilfiger USA, most recently as executive VP accessories. She also spent 15 years at Ralph Lauren Footwear.

Houston -- The Men’s Wearhouse reported Wednesday that net income for the first quarter dipped 2% to $26.9 million, dragged down by negative same-store sales at its K&G off-price unit. Its results missed expectations.

Revenue rose 1% to $586.6 million, missing Wall Street’s forecasted $593.7 million in revenue.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group said Thursday that 100% of its enclosed regional malls and Mills value properties now offer waste recycling to merchants.

"The fact that every one of our enclosed properties is now recycling cardboard is an accomplishment that makes us proud," said George Caraghiaur, senior VP energy and procurement at SPG, who coordinates the company's sustainability efforts. Caraghiaur also noted that pilot programs are underway for plastic film recycling and composting of food waste.

Greenpeace has released its latest "Carting Away the Ocean" report, and Walmart should be pleased with where it ranked on the list. With a score of 5, Walmart placed 12th (out of 20), just hight enough to earn an, or "passing," rating. While that may not seem so great, it is important to keep in mind that only two retailers, Safeway and Whole Foods received green, or "good" ratings for their scores of 7 and 7.1, respectively -- the first time any retailer has recieved such distinction.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's same-store sales increased by 1.1% in May, a lower-than-expected increase that may be due to underlying economic and industry factors.

The results for the five weeks ended June 2 included a 1.3% increase in front-end comps and a 1% increase in pharmacy sales over May 2011. Same-store prescription count increased 2.6%. Total drug store sales for the period increased 0.3% to nearly $2.5 billion, compared with $2.45 billion in May 2011.