Business Analytics

Indianapolis – The Finish Line Inc. reported an 11% improvement in net income during the third quarter of fiscal 2014, rising to $2.58 million from $2.32 million. Lower impairment and store closing charges, a slowed pace of growth in cost of sales, and an income tax benefit all helped spur the growth in profit.   Consolidated net sales were $395.8 million, an increase of 9% from $364.45 million. Same-store sales rose 4.5%.

Fort Worth, Texas – Pier 1 Imports Inc. met Wall Street expectations with a 33% year-over-year decline in profits during the third quarter of fiscal 2015. Net income fell to $17.9 million from $26.8 million, with an increase in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses driving the reduction.  

Finish Line CEO Glenn Lyon cited the company’s struggle to keep up with customer demand for new products even as the firm reported an increase in profitability for the third quarter.

The company reported an 11% improvement in net income during the third quarter, rising to $2.58 million from $2.32 million. Lower impairment and store closing charges, a slowed pace of growth in cost of sales, and an income tax benefit all helped spur the growth in profit.

Despite reporting a 33% year-over-year decline in profits during the third quarter, Pier 1 Imports CEO Alex Smith said he is confident in the chain’s value proposition going forward in 2015.

Citing strong consumer demand for its products, Nike reported a big boost in revenue and profit for the second quarter.

“Our strong second quarter results once again demonstrate NIKE is a growth company,” said Mark Parker, president and CEO of NIKE Inc. “The power of our portfolio continues to unlock growth, as we keep a laser focus on our biggest opportunities. The breadth and depth of that portfolio has helped us consistently deliver strong results –- quarter after quarter, year after year.”

Camp Hill, Penn. – Rite Aid Corp. beat Wall Street expectations with net income of $104.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015, a 46% increase from $71.5 million the same period a year earlier. The improvement in net income resulted primarily from an increase in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and a lower last out, first in (LIFO) charge, partially offset by a higher loss on debt retirement.  

Canton, Mass. - Dunkin' Brands Group Inc., the parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, plans to add between 410 and 440 net new U.S. Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants five to 10 net new Baskin-Robbins U.S. restaurants in 2015. Globally, the company expects to open between 615 and 750 net new units in the coming year.  

Rite Aid is raising its guidance for 2015 after a big jump in same store sales lifted the company in the third quarter.

The company reported third-quarter revenues of $6.7 billion, an increase of 5.3%, driven primarily by same-store sales. Same-store sales for the quarter ended Nov. 29 were up 5.4% overall, including a 1.6% lift in front-end same store sales and a 7.2% increase in pharmacy same store sales.

RESTON, Va. - Retail e-commerce spending from desktop computers for the first 44 days of the November-December 2014 holiday season totaled $42.5 billion, up 15% versus the corresponding days last year. According to comScore.  

Cary, N.C. – Things are hopping at convenience store/gas station chain The Pantry Inc. According to the Wall Street Journal, the operator of Kangaroo Express and other convenience store banners is preparing to sell itself and already took bids in an auction run by a private investment bank the week of Dec. 8.