Business Analytics

New York -- A switch to LED lighting technology in its refrigerated coolers has resulted in combined energy and maintenance savings of more than $1 million annually for convenience store operator Wawa.

The new technology, Immersion from GE Lighting Solutions, has been installed in Wawa’s 600 locations across the Mid-Atlantic region, and has reduced refrigerated cooler/freezer electricity and maintenance expense by a combined 78% since its adoption.

Warrendale, Pa. -- Rue 21 earned a better-than-expected $9.1 million for the quarter ended July 28, up from $7.7 million in the same quarter last year.

Revenue rose 17% to $202.1 million, from $172.8 million. Same-store sales rose 0.5%, well below analyst expectations.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Pacific Sunwear of California reported that net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 ended July 28, were $210.3 million versus net sales of $200.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 ended July 30, 2011.

On a GAAP basis, the xompany reported a loss from continuing operations of $17.5 million, or 26 cents per share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2012, compared with a loss from continuing operations of $17.5 million, or 26 cents per share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2011.

Walmart U.S. just reported its fourth consecutive quarter of positive same store sales growth. Now comes the hard part.

The current third quarter period marks the first time in three years that Walmart U.S. is up against a prior year increase in same store sales. As Walmart U.S. president and CEO Bill Simon reminded those listening to the company’s conference call last week, Walmart had a 1.3% comp increase in the third quarter of 2011 and this year he is expecting an increase in the range of 1% to 3%.

Memphis -- Fred’s reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended July 28 rose 19% to $6.1 million, compared with $5.1 million in the year-ago period.

Sales rose 4% to $470.8 million from $452.7 million, and same-store sales dipped 1%.

Profit results missed Wall Street expectations, and the discounter has lowered its full-year earnings forecast.


 

Los Angeles -- Guess Inc. on Wednesday reported that its second-quarter profit fell to $42.9 million, from $60.7 million a year ago. The company also lowered its full-year earnings outlook.

Total net revenue for the quarter ended July 28 fell 6.2% to $635.4 million, from $677.2 million.

The company’s retail stores in North America generated revenue of $253.0 million in the second quarter, down 3.1% from $261.1 million in the same period a year ago. Same-store sales fell 8.5%.

Pittsburgh -- American Eagle Outfitters Inc. said that its net income fell 4% in the second quarter as the retailer dealt with charges related to the closing of its children’s division, 77kids, which included 22 stores and the online business. But its adjusted results met analysts' estimates, and the company raised its full-year outlook.

For the second quarter that ended July 28, American Eagle earned $19.03 million, compared with $19.7 million last year.

Fort Meyers, Fla. -- Chico's FAS Inc.'s second-quarter net income surged a better-than-expected 22% amid increased sales across its brands. The retailer, which has now topped analyst estimates for the last three quarters, raised the low-end of its 2012 revenue outlook, citing its performance for the first half of the year. 

Chico's earned $52.4 million for the period ended July 28, compared with $42.8 million in the same  period last year.

Columbus, Ohio -- DSW Inc. reported Tuesday that adjusted net income for the quarter ended July 28 dipped to $30.1 million, from $33.7 million last year. Revenue rose 7.5% to $512.2 million, beating the $510.9 million expected by Wall Street.

Same-store sales increased 4.2% in the quarter, compared with a 12.3% increase in the same period last year.

CEO Mike MacDonald told analysts that performance thus far is on track with annual earnings targets and that DSW is on track to open another 27 new stores over the next six months.

Chicago -- A report released Monday by Jones Lang LaSalle found that the U.S. retail real estate continued to show signs of stability in second quarter 2012.

According to Jones Lang LaSalle’s Mid-Year Outlook, the modestly positive outlook was led by major markets with strong demographic and population growth, a lack of new, high-quality supply and improving leasing velocity.