Business Analytics

Burlington Stores Inc. has joined the cadre of profitable off-price retailers in the second quarter with a round of impressive sales results.

The company swung to a net income of $10.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 from a net loss of $6.47 million the same quarter of last year. Decreases in stock option and interest expenses, as well as some impairment charges, helped bring Burlington to profitability.

Net sales rose 10% to $1.14 billion from $1.04 billion, while same-store sales grew 5.6%.

Columbus, Ohio -- Express Inc. soared in the second quarter as its profit tripled amid increased sales and profit margins and reduced promotional activity.

The retailer on Wednesday reported better-than-expected sales and profit for the second quarter. It also raised its full year outlook.

Express’ net income totaled $21 million, compared to $6.9 million, boosted by gross profit resulting from cost of sales growth that was significantly behind the rate of net sales growth.

Deerfield, Ill. - Walgreens is taking a smart approach to energy expense management.

The retailer expanded its use of EnerNOC's energy intelligence software to manage its utility bills at more than 8,300 sites across the U.S.

Recent turmoil in the stock market hasn’t dimmed Best Buy’s outlook for the third quarter while the release of better than expected second quarter results has validated the company’s strategy, according to CEO Hubert Joly.

Strength in categories such as major appliances, large screen televisions and mobile phones, offset by weak tablet sales, helped Best Buy achieve a 2.7% domestic same store sales increase and pushed revenues up 3.9% to $7.9 billion during the second quarter ended August 1. Online comparable sales increased 17%.

DSW says its investments in becoming a more “customer-centric” company are paying off, as the retailer reported sales and earnings growth in the second quarter.

Loft and Express are the strongest online players in contemporary apparel, with less promotional activity and strong assortments, according to a report analyzing key contemporary players and year-over-year changes by fashion trendsetting and analysis firm WGSN. On the other hand, Anthropologie and J. Crew lack a cohesive merchandising and pricing strategy.

The report is based on data is sourced from the WGSN INStock analytics platform, which monitors the e-commerce catalogues of 12,000 brands and retailers, 400 product categories and 40 million SKUs.

Louisville, Ky. -- Appriss Inc., a provider of data, risk assessment and analytic solutions for government, health information and consumer industries, has acquired The Retail Equation, Irvine, California, a provider of predictive analytics for retail businesses. The Retail Equation will become the retail division of Appriss and will operate as a separate company within the Appriss corporate structure.

New York – Foot Locker Inc. scored big in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 with profit and sales that exceeded Wall Street expectations. Net income was $119 million, a 33% increase from $92 million the same period the prior year.   Total sales climbed 3% to $1.69 billion from $1.64 billion. Same-store sales grew 9.6%. Falling selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses aided profit growth, while foreign currency fluctuation had a negative impact on sales growth.  

Dublin, Calif. — Ross Stores Inc. surpassed Wall Street expectations for profit and revenue in a successful second quarter of fiscal 2015. Net earnings rose 8% to $259 million from $240 million the same quarter the prior fiscal year.

Sales rose 9% to $2.97 billion from $2.73 billion, with same-store sales up 4%

Omaha, Neb. — Gordmans Stores Inc. was able to reduce its net loss in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 as a result of gross margin improvements. Net loss totaled $3.03 million, compared to $3.19 million the same quarter a year earlier.

Net sales increased 2% to $143.4 million from $141 million Same-store sales dropped 1.6%, negatively impacted due to a sales tax holiday shift from July to August.

Gordmans intends to open two additional new stores in the third quarter of 2015 and close one store later this year when the lease term expires.