Business Analytics

Rocky Mount, N.C. - QVC has opened a second solar farm comprising 11,564 panels on 11 acres at the Rocky Mount Distribution Center owned by QVC Rocky Mount, Inc. Now generating 5.8 million kilowatt-hours per year, this latest addition brings the combined total number of panels at the site to 17,244 over 18 acres. The first field of 5,680 solar panels on seven acres of land was completed in November 2008.

I’d like to try something a bit different for this week’s column: a market-specific conversation! I’ve tapped Dave Cheatham from Phoenix-based Velocity Retail Group, an X Team International Partner, to help me examine the recent ups and downs of the local retail market in Arizona — and what the lessons learned here mean for brick and mortar retailers nationwide.

Following third quarter results, Whirlpool is increasing its full-year diluted earnings per share guidance to $10.45 to $10.65 from the previous range of $10.05 to $10.55, and its full-year adjusted earnings per share to $9.90 to $10.10 from the previous range of $9.50 to $10.

The company reported net earnings of $196 million for the quarter, or $2.42 per diluted share, compared to net earnings of $74 million, or $0.94 per diluted share, reported during the same period last year.

Online retailer Rue La La will be leveraging Artisan Mobile’s Artisan Optimize platform to enhance its mobile technology.

"We are excited to be working with Artisan Optimize to directly impact the results of our mobile app," said Gerry McGoldrick, VP, Marketing, Rue La La. "Through their technology we are learning what drives conversions and, more importantly, we are able to make changes quickly and easily to keep consumers engaged."

Oak Brook, Ill. – McDonald’s Corporation reported positive financial results during the third quarter of fiscal 2013. The retailer’s net income grew 5% from the third quarter of the previous fiscal year, rising to $1.52 billion from $1.45 billion.

Pleasanton, Calif. – The board of directors of Safeway Inc. has increased the authorized level of the company's stock repurchase program by $2 billion. Through the end of the third quarter of 2013, Safeway had approximately $800 million remaining under its previously authorized stock repurchase program.

Minneapolis – Supervalu Inc. beat Wall Street estimates with second quarter fiscal 2014 net earnings of $40 million, compared to a $111 million loss in the year-ago period.

The supermarket operator reported net sales of $3.95 billion, up 0.2% from $3.94 billion last year.

Same-store sales results varied by banner. Same-store sales in the Save-A-Lot network were negative 0.3, while same-store sales for corporate stores within the Save-A-Lot network were positive 4.6% and were negative 0.9% in the Retail Food segment.

Salt Lake City – Overstock.com reported year-over-year gains in net income and revenue during the third quarter of fiscal 2013, which the company partially attributed to growing participation in its Club O paid loyalty program.

Net income increased 31% from $2.7 million to $3.5 million, while revenue grew 18% from $255.4 million to $301.4 million. The growth in net revenue was primarily due to a 16% increase in average order size, from $147 in third quarter 2012 to $170 in third quarter 2013, coupled with a 2% increase in orders.

Phoenix – PetSmart Inc. has issued guidance for fiscal year 2013 for total sales growth of 3%-4%, as well as same-store sales growth of 3%-4%, compared to the prior fiscal year. PetSmart also slightly downgraded previous same-store sales guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 to 2.2%-2.5%, from previously issued guidance of 3%-4%.

Supervalu’s renewed focus on driving sales and cash in all segments of its business seem to be paying off. The company has been working toward turning identical sales positive and posted net sales of $3.95 billion for the second quarter ended Sept. 7, up 0.2% from $3.94 billion for the prior-year quarter.