Business Analytics

Pittsburgh - Following a comprehensive fleet review, American Eagle Outfitters Inc. has identified 150 stores to close in North America during the next three years, including nearly 100 AE stores. For 2014, the company is planning to close approximately 50 AE and 20 aerie stores in North America.

London -- The China-based business of U.K. fashion retailer New Look has selected a POS system enabled with DigitalPersona fingerprint technology. After a successful trial at six of the retailer’s stores in February, New Look is set to expand their use of biometrics in 16 of its stores by the end of 2014, with longer-range plans to equip 100 stores by 2017.

Despite posting a net sales increase for the first quarter of fiscal 2014, PetSmart’s comparable-store sales missed expectations thanks in part, according to president and CEO David Lenhardt, to a challenging and volatile consumer environment and a competitive market. The company has updated its guidance for the full year as a result.

Following disappointing results during the first quarter of fiscal 2014, which were consistent with the company’s expectations, American Eagle Outfitters has decided to close 150 stores in North America during the next three years, including nearly 100 AE stores.

For 2014, the company plans on closing approximately 50 AE and 20 aerie stores in North America. The store closings will translate to annualized after-tax savings of between $10 and $15 million beginning in 2015.

Atlanta – Severe weather dampened net income and sales growth at The Home Depot during the first quarter of fiscal 2014, causing increases in those figures to fall short of Wall Street estimates. Net income improved 17% to $1.4 billion from $1.2 billion.

Framingham, Mass. – Staples Inc. attributed a 44% drop in net earnings during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 to lower sales caused by store closures and a rise in the value of the dollar. Net earnings of $96 million were 44% below net earnings of $170 million reported a year earlier.

Framingham, Mass. – The TJX Cos. Inc. increased both net income and sales during the first quarter of fiscal 2015 on a year-over-year basis, although sales missed analyst projections. Net income grew slightly to $454.32 million from $452.89 million, while net sales increased 5% to $6.49 billion from $6.19 billion.

Analysts had expected net sales of $6.6 billion. Same-store sales remained flat. Carol Meyrowitz, CEO of TJX, blamed soft apparel sales for the miss on expected net sales.

Houston – Stage Stores Inc. reported a net loss of $18.79 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, up from a net loss from $6.86 million in the same period a year earlier. Net sales slightly declined to $372.04 million from $372.1 million, while same-store sales decreased 0.2%.

Troy, Mich. - PayAnywhere, the professional grade mobile point-of-sale solution from North American Bancard, has released PayAnywhere Storefront, its free touch-screen tablet and stand with built-in credit card reader. PayAnywhere Storefront provides new simple pricing, security protection and advanced business analytics.

Despite getting a slow start to the year, The Home Depot rallied in the first quarter thanks to solid results in non-weather-impacted markets.

The home improvement retailer reported first-quarter sales of $19.7 billion, up 2.9% from last year's first quarter. Comparable store sales were up 2.6%. Comp-store sales for U.S. stores were positive 3.3%.

The company also reported double-digit growth in net earnings — up 12.5% to $1.38 billion.