Business Analytics

Boston - X Team International, an international alliance of retail real estate advisors with expertise in more than 45 major markets throughout the U.S. and Canada, released third quarter transactional volumes totaling $746 million, bringing its year-to-date transactional volume to more than $2.24 billion.   

Hibbett Sports reported relatively flat third quarter same store sales, but the company achieved record new expansion and is prepared to surpass 1,000 units in 2015.

For the third quarter, Hibbett posted profits of $16.9 million, down from $17.3 million in the prior-year quarter. The decline was mainly due to markdowns related to slow selling and aged inventory, the company said.

NEW YORK - Best Buy on Thursday reported unexpectedly strong and better-than-expected profit and sales for the third quarter, gaining new momentum as it heads into the holiday shopping season.  It was the first time since the third quarter of last year that Best Buy reported positive comparable store sales.

Columbus, Ohio – L Brands Inc. beat Wall Street projections with net income of $131.8 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2014, up 43% from $91.99 million the same period the prior fiscal year. A boost in pretax income helped drive L Brands’ impressive profit growth.   Net sales rose 7% to $2.32 billion from $2.17 billion, and same-store sales increased 5%. 

Jacksonville, Fla. – Increased selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses helped drive Stein Mart Inc. to a net loss of $1.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to net income of $28,000 in the same quarter a year earlier. Despite this push into the red, Stein Mart plans to open open at least 10 new stores and relocate two stores in 2015, as well as close two stores.  

  San Francisco – Williams-Sonoma Inc. surpassed Wall Street expectations with its profit and sales results for the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Earnings per share increased 17% to $0.68 from $0.58 in the same quarter the previous fiscal year.   Retail net revenues increased 3% to $556 million from $540 million, primarily driven by West Elm and Pottery Barn, partially offset by a decrease in Williams-Sonoma due to eight fewer stores  

Irving, Texas - Net income increased 36% to $64 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to $47 million in the same quarter last year at The Michaels Companies. A decrease in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses helped boost profits. Net sales increased by 1% to $1.13 billion from $1.12 billion, while same-store sales decreased by 0.8%. Michaels plans to open two new stores in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.

Ross Stores didn’t let a surprisingly strong third quarter comp increase go to its head and maintained a cautious view of consumer spending.

Sales at the company increased 8% to nearly $2.6 billion and same store sales increased 4%. Net income increased to $193 million, or 93 cents a share, from $172 million, or 80 cents a share.

Minneapolis — Target Corp. gained some momentum going into the holiday season with a third quarter that beat both Wall Street and internal expectations as sales as its U.S. stores exceeded estimates and its troubled Canadian division showed signs of improvement. Its results were also driven by increased promotional activity. This was Target’s first quarter under the leadership of CEO Brian Cornell, who replaced Gregg Steinhafel in August.   

Lowe’s said its third quarter same store sales spiked 5.1% a day after Home Depot reported an even stronger increase.

Total company sales increased 5.6% to $13.7 billion driven by increased productivity of existing stores as evidenced by a 5.1% comp increase. Home Depot said its third quarter same store sales increased 5.8%. Lowe’s profits increased 17.3% to $585 million while earnings per share increased 25.5% to 59 cents and were aided by $900 million in share repurchase activity.