Business Analytics

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. retail e-commerce sales for second quarter 2013, adjusted for seasonal variation, but not for price changes, totaled $64.8 billion, an increase of 4.9% from first quarter 2013. According to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, this figure represented an 18.4% jump from U.S. commerce sales in second quarter 2012.

E-commerce sales in the second quarter of 2013 accounted for 5.8% of total U.S. retail sales of close to $1.13 trillion. Total retail sales grew 0.9% quarter-over-quarter and 4.7% year-over-year.

While second quarter sales were less than expected, one area where Walmart exceeded plan was expenses incurred related to Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and compliance matters.

The company said it spent $82 million on efforts in those areas compared to the $65 million to $70 million it though it would spend at the start of the year. Expenses during the first half of the year totaled $155 million.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores lowered its full year profit forecast early Thursday after reporting weaker that expected second quarter U.S. same-store sales at its U.S. division and suggested global economic conditions remain challenging.

Walmart lowered its full year profit forecast early Thursday after reporting weaker that expected second quarter same store sales at its U.S. division and suggested global economic conditions remain challenging.

Total company net sales increased 2.8% to $116.7 billion on a constant currency basis and profits increased 1.3% to $4.1 billion while earnings per share grew 5.1% to $1.24. That was a penny below the consensus forecast of analysts, although earnings per share included a charge related to international operations that reduced earnings by a penny.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Corp. reported that profit for the quarter ended Aug. 3 fell 4% to $231 million, compared with $240 million in the year-ago period. Results were impacted by rising costs, but still met Wall Street expectations.

Sales edged up 2% to $4.29 billion from $4.21 billion in the period, and matched analysts’ expectations. Same-store sales rose 0.9%, missing Wall Street’s estimated 1.1% rise.

SEATTLE — Despite reporting a net income of $184 million for the second quarter, ended Aug. 3, up from $156 million in the year-ago period, Nordstrom cut its yearly forecast, citing softer-than-anticipated sales trends.

Nordstrom said revenue rose 6.4% % to $3.1 billion, short of the $3.29 billion Wall Street expected. Total company same-store sales increased 4.4%.

Little Rock, Ark. -- Dillard’s saw net income rise to $36.5 million in the quarter ended Aug. 3, compared with $31 million in the same period last year.

Revenue was flat at $1.48 billion and same-store sales edged up 1%, boosted by strength from ladies accessories and lingerie.

“Positive comparable store sales and gross margin expansion combined with continued expense control enabled us to report another quarter of year over year improvement,” said CEO William T. Dillard II.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — July sales at Walgreens experienced an 8% boost. They totaled $6.03 billion, up from $5.59 billion for the same month in fiscal 2012. 

Comparable-store sales increased by 6.3% in July. Calendar day shifts positively impacted total comparable sales by 1.4 percentage points, while generic drug introductions in the last 12 months negatively impacted total comparable sales by 1.8 percentage points.