Business Analytics

After a weaker-than-expected showing in June, Target needs a solid performance in July to deliver on its second quarter sales and profit expectations.

June same-store sales increased a modest 2.1%, well below a 4.4% increase in May, but the deceleration didn’t cause the company to adjust its second quarter guidance. The company expects second quarter earnings adjusted to exclude expenses related to its entry in Canada to range from $1.04 to $1.14 and earnings that include the Canadian costs to range from 94 centers to $1.04.

Indianapolis — In light of poor performance in its video category, electronics retailer Hhgregg has lowered its fiscal 2013 guidance.

Hhgregg is expecting net sales for its first quarter to be approximately $490 million, an increase of approximately 13.5% as compared with the $431.5 million of net sales reported in the fiscal first quarter last year. The company attributes the sales growth to the net addition of 30 new stores during the quarter.

Woodbridge, Va. -- Ikea officially plugged-in the solar energy system installed atop its store in Woodbridge, Va. The state’s largest such photovoltaic array, the 63,000-sq.-ft. PV installation consists of a 504-kW system, built with 2,100 panels.

The system will produce approximately 636,199 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 439 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), eliminating the emissions of 86 cars or powering 55 homes yearly.

Philadelphia -- Destination Maternity said its third-quarter revenue fell 5.3% to $138.8 million. Wall Street had expected $146.4 million. The retailer cut its third-quarter earnings forecast, citing weaker-than-expected sales.

Same-store sales fell 2.4%.
 

Atlanta -- A report by FirstData Corp. found that year-over-year dollar volume growth was 6.4% in June, down from May’s 7.0% growth as continuing high unemployment and economic anxiety caused consumers to pull back on spending. The report tracks same-store consumer spending by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT, closed-loop prepaid cards and checks at U.S. merchant locations.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot has been named to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) list of 2012 Energy Star Leaders for Leadership in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

In the baseline year of 2004, Office Depot facilities emitted 381,689 metric tons of carbon dioxide. By 2011, the carbon footprint of Office Depot’s facilities was 239,319 metric tons -- a reduction of over 140,000 metric tons, or 37 percent over the seven year period.

PLANO, Texas — JCPenney is cutting approximately 350 positions at its headquarters as part of its plan to restructure the company.

DALLAS — Tuesday Morning reported net sales for the fourth quarter ended June 30 of $196.4 million compared with $194.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, an increase of 0.8%. Comparable-store sales for the quarter ended June 30 increased by 0.2% compared with the same period last year, which was comprised of a 2.7% decrease in traffic and a 2.9% increase in ticket.

By Dan Olson, [email protected]

Dallas – Tuesday Morning Corp. reported Tuesday that sales for the quarter ended June 30 edged up 0.8% to $196.4 million, compared with $194.8 million in the year-ago period.

Same-store sales rose 0.2%, comprised of a 2.7% decrease in traffic and a 2.9% increase in ticket. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, net sales were $812.8 million compared to $821.1 million for fiscal 2011.

Based upon the results of the fourth quarter, Tuesday Morning said it expects to narrow its Q4 loss from last year’s quarter.