Business Analytics

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Genesco, a specialty retailer of sports apparel and accessories reported fourth quarter earnings of $38.7 million, or $1.63 per diluted share, compared with earnings from continuing operations of $41.5 million, or $1.72 per diluted share, for the same period last year.

PHOENIX — PetSmart reported that its fourth quarter earnings were up 36% to $1.24. Comparable-store sales, or sales in stores open at least a year, grew 4.6%, benefitting from comparable transactions growth of 1.2%. Total sales for the quarter were up 15% to $1.9 billion.

For the year, the company delivered earnings per share of $3.55, up 39% compared with $2.55 last year. Comparable-store sales grew 6.3%, benefitting from comparable transactions growth of 2.4%. Total sales for the year were $6.8 billion, up 11%.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. and PLEASANTON, Calif. — The TJX Companies and Ross Stores reported comparable-store results that were less than impressive from what the two discount retailers usually deliver.

TJX reported that sales for the four-week period ended March 2, were $1.8 billion, up 7% over the $1.6 billion achieved during the four-week period ended Feb. 25, 2012. Consolidated comparable-store sales for the month were up 1%.

LISLE, ILLINOIS — The Numerical Algorithms Group, Ltd., a provider of mathematical software components to industry and other organizations, has named Ken Kubat to the board of directors of its North American subsidiary NAG, Inc. The appointment is effective immediately.

Cincinnati -- The Kroger Co. on Thursday reported a better-than-expected profit for its fourth quarter profit amid a surge in sales.

For the period ending Feb. 2, Kroger earned $461.5 million, compared to the year ago period when the company reported a loss of $306.9 million as pension costs dragged down results.

Revenue rose 12.8% to $24.2 billion. Same-store sales increased 3% for the quarter, excluding fuel. After adjusting for the extra week in the fourth quarter, total sales increased by 3.7% over the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Stein Mart reported that its total sales for the month of February were $85.2 million, an increase of 5.6% over total sales of $80.7 million for the four-week period ended Feb. 25, 2012. Comparable-store sales for the month increased 0.6%.

Phoenix -- PetSmart Inc. reported a 31% increase in its fiscal fourth-quarter profit, helped by an extra week of sales. But its forecast for this year disappointed investors.

The company earned $134 million for the quarter ended Feb. 3, up from $102 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 15% to $1.88 billion from $1.64 billion, helped by an extra week of sales in the more recent quarter. Same-store sales rose 4.6%.

For the full year, PetSmart’s revenue rose 11% to $6.8 billion.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco reported net sales of $7.58 billion for the month of February, an increase of 8% from $7.01 billion during the similar period last year.

For the twenty-six weeks ended March 3, 2013, the company reported net sales of $51.35 billion, an increase of 9% from $47.22 billion during the similar period last year.

Excluding the impact of fuel, Costco's total comps for the four-week period were up 6%. For the 26-week period, comps were up 5%.