Supply Chain & Merchandising

ATLANTA -- Home Depot's fourth quarter saw positive comp-store sales for the fifth straight period. Kitchens and gardens were among the highest-performing categories.

According to Home Depot's Craig Menear, EVP merchandising, the departments that outperformed the company average were kitchens, outdoor garden, indoor garden, electrical and tools.

Comparable-store sales for the company increased 3.9% for the three months ended Jan. 30. For stores in the United States, comp sales were positive 4.8%.

Houston -- Stage Stores' fiscal fourth-quarter profit rose 15% on increased sales. The department store operator said its board approved a new buyback of up to $200 million of its outstanding shares.

The department store operator reported net income of $32 million for the period ended Jan. 29, up from $27.9 million a year earlier.

Revenue rose 5% to $453.7 million, from $431.7 million. Analysts expected $453.5 million in revenue.

Nashville, Tenn. -- The Retail Orphan Initiative (RetailROI) announced that it has created a computer recycling program in partnership with the GEAR Foundation. The program, which recycles retailers’ computers that are less than four years old and have expired warranties, will immediately create jobs for physically and mentally challenged young adults as the computers are erased, refurbished, and resold.

ABC Supply Co. has announced the promotion of Tom Whitcomb to Customer Financial Services director for its Midwest region, based in Fitchburg, Wis.

In his new role, Whitcomb will direct all credit and collection activities for the region, which includes branches in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

PITTSBURGH -- Dick’s Sporting Goods on Tuesday showed why it is the nation’s leading sporting goods retailer by producing record profits and a 9.4% same-store sales increase that extended to six its string of consecutive quarterly comp gains.

New York City -- Wakefern Food Corp., parent of the ShopRite supermarket chain, plans to introduce its PriceRite discount format in Maryland, opening a 37,000-sq.-ft. store in Woodlawn on March 13.

Wakefern operates 45 corporate PriceRite locations, which feature both private-label and national brands in a value format.

Tempe, Ariz. -- Limelight Networks announced that Quiksilver Europe deployed Limelight’s website acceleration services to maximize website performance and enhance the online experience for its customers.

Pittsburgh -- Dick's Sporting Goods said Tuesday its net income increased 30% in the fourth quarter on improving revenue.

The sporting goods retailer reported net income of $87.5 million in the quarter ended Jan. 29, from $67.4 million last year.