Skip to main content

Business Analytics

  • Pier 1 continues to bring strong comps home

    FORT WORTH, Texas  — Pier 1 Imports reported a 10.8% same-store sales increase for the second quarter ended Aug. 27, on top of an 11.2% comps increase for the same period last year, driven primarily by increases in traffic and average ticket. Total sales for the quarter improved to $340 million compared to $310 million in the year-ago quarter. 

    Pier 1 said it expects earnings per share for the quarter to be 14 cents.

  • An untapped opportunity at Sam’s Club

    The leadership transition Costco announced this week was hardly unexpected considering outgoing CEO Jim Sinegal is 75, but it does underscore what arguably has been one of the greatest distinctions between Costco and Sam’s clubs for the past 25 years, namely the stability of senior leadership.

  • Zale loss widens on higher costs but beats Street; adds credit options

    Dallas -- Zale Corp. reported Wednesday that its loss for the quarter ended July 31 widened to $32.6 million from $28.5 million a year earlier. Its results were impacted by increased inventory charges and absent a one-time gain recorded a year ago.

    Revenue rose 9% to $377.3 million, compared with $345 million in the year-ago period. Wall Street expected higher losses on revenue of $360.4 million.

    Same-store sales increased 9.8% in the quarter.

  • JoS. A. Bank profit rises 25% in Q2

    Hampstead, Md. -- JoS. A. Bank Clothiers reported Wednesday that net income for the second quarter surged 24.7% to $20.6 million, compared with $16.5 million in the year-ago period.

    Sales rose 22.4% to $230.7 million from $188.4 million. Same-store sales increased 14.7%.

  • Inflation feeds Winn-Dixie ident-store growth

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Inflationary increases, sales growth at remodeled stores and a boost from fuelperks! helped drive up Winn-Dixie's second quarter identical-store sales, while net sales dipped.

    According to Winn-Dixie's chief Peter Lynch, Winn-Dixie is riding a strong headwind into fiscal 2012 powered by a number of influencers — a marketing program that better sustains margins, its loyalty program Fuelperks!, an improved stocking system and a significant focus on improving the customer experience.

  • Irene’s retail winners

    Home Depot and Lowe’s may receive a 1% bump to their third-quarter results as a result of Hurricane Irene sales, according to an analysis provided by MarketWatch. 

    A variety of retail analysts weighed in on the question of whether Irene would help or hurt retail sales, given that many stores were forced to close when evacuation orders came. But the overall consensus was that before-and-after hurricane sales will benefit home improvement retailers, while negatively impacting department stores, specialty stores and any retailer relying on back-to-school sales.

  • Cost Plus 2Q loss widens, comps gain slightly

    OAKLAND, Calif. — Cost Plus reported that net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 were $197.9 million, a 3.2% increase compared with $191.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2010. Same-store sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 increased 2.8% compared with a 6.5% increase for the second quarter last year. The increase in same-store sales for the second quarter was due to an increase in customer count of 5.5% offset by a 2.5% reduction in the average ticket per customer, the company reported.

  • Bebe Stores Q4 profit doubles, plans net new store growth

    Brisbane Calif. -- Bebe Stores reported Thursday that profit for the fourth quarter doubled to $4.7 million, from $2 million in the year-ago period.

    Revenue rose 8% to $132.3 million, compared with $122.1 million last year and beating Wall Street expectations of $126.1 million. Same-store sales grew 7%.

    For the year, the company narrowed its loss to $1.8 million, from $5.2 million in fiscal 2010. Annual revenue increased 3% to $493.3 million.

  • Junction Solutions to co-host three events with Microsoft Dynamics

    Denver -- Junction Solutions said Thursday it will co-host three events on Sept. 8 to announce global launch of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012.

    Together with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, Microsoft Business Solutions President Kirill Tatarinov and Nigel Montgomery, research director for Gartner Research, Junction Solutions will host half-day events in Cincinnati, St. Louis, and in Mountain View, Calif. 

  • Big Lots raises FY guidance on 2Q performance

    COLUMBUS, Ohio — Despite a comps dip during its second quarter, Big Lots performance was enough for the company to raise its fiscal 2011 guidance.

    Big Lots reported net income of $35.7 million, or 50 cents per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 ended July 30.  This compares with net income of $38.9 million, or 48 cents per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2010. 

X
This ad will auto-close in 10 seconds