Business Analytics

The Clorox Company has updated its strategic growth plan. Called the 2020 Strategy, it focuses on delivering long-term, profitable growth through the year 2020 and builds upon the company's recently completed centennial strategy.

Springfield, N.J. – Village Super Market reported net income of $6.2 million during fourth quarter 2013 and $25.8 million during the full fiscal year. These figures were respectively down 31% from $9 million and 18% from $31.4 million year-over-year.

The retailer cited the negative impact of higher expenses and lower gross profits as contributing to its drop in net income.

Plano, Texas – Financial woes continue to plague embattled J.C. Penney Company as hedge fund Perry Capital cut its stake in the retailer by nearly half, selling nine million shares of Penney stock last week.

ECRM compared retail circular advertising in September 2012 versus September 2013 and noted trends occurring across top retail chains. Home Depot continued to cut circular pages, down 80% year-over-year to only four for September. Despite this, it has continued to dramatically increase the density of its circular, with a 180% increase in ad blocks per page. On the other hand, Lowe’s saw only minor year-over-year changes, with 25% increases in ad blocks per page and per circular.

Higher average selling prices and increased volume helped the nation’s largest egg producer report record sales for its first quarter.

Indianapolis – The Finish Line posted increases in net income, net sales and same-store sales during the second quarter of fiscal 2013. Net income totaled $26.19 million, up 6.1% from about $24.44 million a year earlier.

Consolidated net sales were $436 million, up 13.3 % from $385 million in the same quarter the previous year. Same-store sales rose 0.9%.

Sales at Indianapolis-based athletic footwear and apparel retailer Finish Line grew 13.3% to $436 million and earnings per share increase 10.2% to 54 cents, nine cents better than analysts forecast for the period ended August 31.

Company chairman and CEO Glenn Lyon characterized the performance as solid, and credited a 0.9% comp increase and expense control for profit growth.

Indianapolis — Simon Property Group has received recognition for its sustainable efforts.

First, SPG has been named to the 2013 CDP Global 500 Climate Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI). The annual index highlights FTSE Global 500 companies that demonstrate leadership through disclosure of information regarding climate change and score within the top 10% of the five hundred companies assessed. This is SPG’s fifth CDLI award and its third due to top score on disclosure of green house gas emissions and energy use.

Ontario, Canada -- Staples Canada announced its sustainability achievements for the second quarter of 2013, including a 9% drop in energy consumption (over the year-ago period). The retailer continues to focus on its long-term commitment to growing the business in a sustainable manner, and reducing its impact on the environment.

Suffern, N.Y. -- Ascena Retail Group’s adjusted fiscal fourth-quarter profit exceeded Wall Street estimates, driven by strong same-store sales at its Lane Bryant division.

Looking ahead, the company, whose brands include Justice, Lane Bryant, Maurices, Dressbarn and Catherines, said it plans to open approximately 180 to 190 stores and close 115 to 125 stores.

Ascena’s net income jumped to $29.8 million for the quarter that ended July 27, compared with net income of $1.6 million in its fourth quarter last year.