Supply Chain & Merchandising

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Stater Bros. reported its second-quarter results for the period ended March 25.

The retailer's consolidated sales for the quarter rose nearly 2.7% to $937.7 million, compared with the year-ago period, while same-store sales also rose nearly 2.7%. Second-quarter net income totaled $16.4 million, compared with $9.3 million for second quarter of the prior year.

Cincinnati -- Macy's Inc. reported a better-than-expected 38% increase in its first-quarter profit as the chain continues to benefit from its move to target its offerings to local markets. However, the retailer disappointed the Street by failing to up its guidance for the year.

Macy's said that its net income rose to $181 million for the three-month period ended April 28, up from $131 million a year ago.

Revenue increased 4.3% to $6.14 billion, from $5.89 billion a year ago. Same-store sales were up 4.4%.

Naperville, Ill. -- OfficeMax Inc. reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended March 31 slid to $4.9 million, compared with $11.4 million in the year-ago period. Results were hampered by charges related to U.S. store closures.

Total sales edged up 0.5% to $1.9 billion. In the retail segment, sales dipped 2.7% to $912.3 million; same-stores sales fell 2.1%.

Ontario -- Ikea said Tuesday that it has begun construction on the expansion of its current Montreal store to what will be its largest store in North America.

Set to be complete summer 2013, the new Ikea Montreal will be 469, 694 sq. ft. and will feature expanded inventory and services such as a 600-seat restaurant and 1,400+ parking spots.

New York -- As plus-size apparel retailer Avenue Stores emerges from bankruptcy under new ownership, it will do so with a much streamlined store presence.

Paul Halpern, chief investment officer of Versa Capital Management, which bought the chain out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February for $32 million, said the current store count of 415 to 420 will be reduced to about 300 to assure profitability.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe's continues to implement its customer-focused strategy with the creation of new executive roles. The company has created a customer experience division that will be led by Gregory Bridgeford, chief customer officer, who is responsible for creating customer experiences that will best serve customers and differentiate Lowe’s from its competitors.

Reporting to Bridgeford are:

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW Inc. said Tuesday that its newest store, located in the State Street shopping district of downtown Chicago, is slated to open on May 10, bringing the shoe retailer’s total downtown Chicago store count to two and 17 in Chicagoland.

The new two-level store features 25,000 sq. ft. of space.
 

Philadelphia -- Management consulting firm Hay Group reported Tuesday that employee turnover levels in the retail industry are on the rise.

According to a new survey from Hay Group, an improving job market and solid first quarter sales are impacting turnover. Retailers report a median turnover rate of 67% for part-time store workers, a 33% increase over 2011. One in five retailers report that they have experienced more turnover in the first part of 2012.