Supply Chain & Merchandising

New York City -- The Jones Group reported Wednesday that revenues for the fourth quarter rose 12.5% to $874 million, from $777 million in the year-ago period.

The company attributed the fourth quarter performance to the June 2010 acquisition of the Stuart Weitzman business, as well as increases in various business segments.

Jones Group closed 44 retail locations in the fourth quarter to end the year with 803 locations (which includes acquired Stuart Weitzman locations). The company closed 194 locations in 2010.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe’s Cos. said Wednesday that it has made several key promotions and moves in its human resources, legal, merchandising, logistics and information technology areas.

Maureen K. Ausura was promoted to executive VP human resources, from senior VP in the same capacity.

Gaither M. Keener has been promoted to executive VP general counsel, secretary and chief compliance officer, from senior VP in the same capacity. 

Both will continue reporting to CEO Robert Niblock.

An otherwise exceptional year of sales and profits at Hibbett Sports was soiled somewhat late in the fourth quarter as consumer demand deteriorated, forcing the company to alert investors that it would come up short against earlier guidance. The 767-unit Hibbett chain continued to execute its strategy, but really bad weather in many of the company’s markets coupled with a slower-than-expected flow of tax refunds negatively affected results.

San Bernardino, Calif. -- Supermarket retailer Stater Bros. Holdings said Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended Dec. 26 dropped to $1.3 million, compared with net income of $6.7 million in the year-ago period. The prior year results included an after-tax gain of $4.7 million.

Sales declined 2.3% to $899 million in the first quarter. Same-store sales also decreased 2.3%.

ROCKVILLE, Md. -- The Walmart Foundation and Goodwill have teamed up to provide single mothers with all the tools they need to find employment, succeed in the workplace and permanently support their families. The Walmart Foundation's grant of $2.5 million will support the program, known as Beyond Jobs, at Goodwill agencies in the five key markets of Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles County, Detroit, and New York City, through 2012.

Cary, N.C. -- C-store operator The Pantry said Tuesday that it narrowed its loss for the quarter ended Dec. 30 to $12.2 million, compared with a loss of $26.1 million a year earlier.

Merchandise same-store sales increased 1.3% for the quarter.

The Pantry operates 1,662 stores in 13 states primarily under the Kangaroo Express banner.
 

Smyrna, Ga. -- Westchester, Ill.-based Tri-Land Properties announced Tuesday that the redevelopment of The Crossings at Four Corners has launched in Smyrna, Ga.

Eight acres of the project will be home to a 96,000-sq.-ft. Kroger, the company’s largest grocery store in the Atlanta market.

Indianapolis -- Appliance and electronics retailer Hhgregg reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended Dec. 31 rose 18.4% to $26.9 million, compared with $22.7 million in the year-ago period.

Net sales increased 30.6% to $653.7 million. Same-stores dropped 6.2%.