Supply Chain & Merchandising

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Sales at Rite Aid fell during the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2011, according to financial results announced Thursday.

The 4,714-store retail pharmacy chain had sales of $6.5 billion for fourth quarter 2011, which ended Feb. 26, with a net loss of $205.7 million. Still, that was less than fourth quarter 2010’s loss of $208.4 million. For the fiscal year, sales were $25.2 billion, compared with $25.7 billion in fiscal year 2010. The year saw a net loss of $555.4 million, compared with $506.7 million in 2010.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Pier 1 Imports reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Feb. 26 surged 65% to $57.1 million, from $34.5 million a year earlier.
 
The home décor retailer cited improving sales, cost control efforts and strong merchandise margins for the substantial improvement.

Pier 1 also announced a three-year growth plan that includes investing $200 million of capital into its operations and starting a $100 million share buyback.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. and WESTBOROUGH, Mass. -- The shifting of Easter to April this year impacted the warehouse club sector last month, as both Costco and BJ’s reported March comps that were negatively impacted by the calendar change. Without the benefit of Easter sales, both companies still managed to turn out respectable comps.

San Diego -- Warehouse club operator PriceSmart reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Feb. 28 rose 31% to $17.9 million, compared with $13.7 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 23% to $449.6 million from $366.1 million, mainly on higher warehouse club sales. Wall Street expected revenue of $386.1 million.

Same-store sales rose 16.7% in March.

MEMPHIS — Fred's on Thursday reported a 3% increase in sales for the five weeks ended April 2, reaching $188.8 million.

Comparable-store sales for the month rose 0.7%, versus an increase of 3.6% in the same period last year.

Camp Hill, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. reported Thursday that narrowed its loss in the fourth quarter to $208.1 million, compared with a loss of $210.6 million in the year-ago period.

The drugstore operator cited stabilized revenue for the slight improvement.

Revenue during the quarter was unchanged at $6.46 billion. Wall Street expected $6.41 billion in revenue.

Same-store sales edged up 1% in the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the company closed 17 stores, relocated four and remodeled two.
 

MONTREAL – U.S. discount-store operators should keep an eye on their Northern neighbors, as Canadian dollar stores continue to thrive. Anticipating their growth potential, Virginia-based Dollar Tree acquired Canada’s Dollar Giant Store in November 2010, adding 86 more stores to its repertoire and marking its first expansion outside of the United States.

Richardson, Texas -- Wingstop has announced plans to aggressively expand its presence in the Atlanta area. The fast-growing national chicken wing chain plans to add 20 additional locations in Atlanta over the next several years.

The expansion effort begins with an Atlanta open house April 20-21 where franchise candidates will have an opportunity to learn about Wingstop's plans and meet one-on-one with company executives.

Wingstop has 480 locations throughout the United States and Mexico.