Supply Chain & Merchandising

OAKLAND, Calif. — Cost Plus reported that net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 were $197.9 million, a 3.2% increase compared with $191.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2010. Same-store sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 increased 2.8% compared with a 6.5% increase for the second quarter last year. The increase in same-store sales for the second quarter was due to an increase in customer count of 5.5% offset by a 2.5% reduction in the average ticket per customer, the company reported.

Denver -- Junction Solutions said Thursday it will co-host three events on Sept. 8 to announce global launch of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012.

Together with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, Microsoft Business Solutions President Kirill Tatarinov and Nigel Montgomery, research director for Gartner Research, Junction Solutions will host half-day events in Cincinnati, St. Louis, and in Mountain View, Calif. 

Wayne, N.J. – Toys “R” Us has implemented a number of sustainable initiatives that conserve energy, minimize waste, and reduce its stores’ overall impact on the environment while diminishing the company’s carbon footprint.

The chain said that its new and renovated “R”Us locations include a combination of the following sustainable features:

NEW YORK — The economic headwinds so often cited by mass market retailers as a drag on financial results had no impact on luxury goods retailer Tiffany during the second quarter. The company’s earnings per share excluding non-recurring charges increased 58% to 86 cents, well ahead of the 70 cents analysts’ expected as the retailer’s customers didn’t let lingering unemployment and economic uncertainty dampen their enthusiasm for luxury goods.

New York City -- Supporting continued strength in the luxury sector, Tiffany & Co. reported Friday that profit for the quarter ended July 31 soared 33% to $90 million, from $67.7 million a year earlier. Results surpassed Wall Street estimates, and the jewelry retailer raised its full-year profit outlook.

Revenue surged 30% in the quarter, to $872.7 million, beating analysts’ expected $785.6 million.  Same-store sales jumped 22%.

Brisbane Calif. -- Bebe Stores reported Thursday that profit for the fourth quarter doubled to $4.7 million, from $2 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 8% to $132.3 million, compared with $122.1 million last year and beating Wall Street expectations of $126.1 million. Same-store sales grew 7%.

For the year, the company narrowed its loss to $1.8 million, from $5.2 million in fiscal 2010. Annual revenue increased 3% to $493.3 million.

Oakland, Calif. -- Cost Plus reported Friday that its loss widened in the second quarter to $8 million, from $7 million in the year-ago period.

Sales for the quarter rose 3.2% to $197.9 million, and same-store sales increased 2.8%.

The retailer of home living and entertainment products closed five stores in the first six months of fiscal 2011, and said it expects to relocate one store in the third quarter of fiscal 2011.
 

Columbus, Ohio -- Big Lots reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended July 30 declined 8% to $35.7 million, compared with $38.9 million a year earlier. The company cited same-store sales declines and a charge related to its new Canadian stores for the performance slip.

Revenue rose 3% to $1.17 billion from $1.14 billion. Same-store sales fell 1.5%.

Big Lots acquired Liquidation World in July as part of a strategy to expand into Canada.