Business Analytics

So maybe the Walmart U.S. isn’t lighting things up on the same-store sales front just yet; the division did manage to grow total sales by 0.6% to $62.7 billion and increase operating profits by 0.8% to $4.65 billion. This despite the fact that division president and CEO Bill Simon noted the paycheck cycle remains pronounced, and higher year-over-year gas prices are eating into the disposable income of the company’s core shoppers who are consolidating trips.

Chesapeake, Va. -- Dollar Tree reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended April 30 rose 59% to $101 million, compared with $63.6 million in the year-ago period. The 2010 figure included a charge of $26.3 million for a retail inventory accounting change.

The retailer raised its sales and profit forecast for the rest of the year.

Revenue increased more than 14% to $1.55 billion, beating Wall Street expectations. Same-store sales rose 7.1%.

Despite progress on several key merchandising initiatives during the first quarter, it wasn’t enough to prevent Walmart from logging a 1.1% decline in same-store sales, losing customer traffic and introducing the possibility the second quarter will bring more of the same. The company’s forecast for second quarter same-store sales envisions a range of possibilities between a 1% decline and 1% increase.

PHOENIX — PetSmart has reported earnings of 61 cents per share, up 33% compared with 46 cents per share in the first quarter of 2010. Net income totaled $71 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared with $56 million in the first quarter of 2010.

Total sales for the first quarter of 2011 increased 6.8% to $1.5 billion. The increase in net sales was partially impacted by $4 million in favorable foreign currency fluctuations, the company reported. Comparable-store sales grew 5%, benefitting from comparable transactions growth of 2.7%. 

Secaucus, N.J. -- The Children's Place Retail Stores reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended April 30 rose 4% to $29.1 million, compared with $27.9 million a year earlier. The retailer cited better product assortment, strong online sales and inventory-control efforts for the improved performance.

Children’s Place also increased the low end of its full-year earnings outlook range, but its 2011 and second-quarter forecasts missed Wall Street's expectations.

Westborough, Mass. -- BJ’s Wholesale Club reported Wednesday that profit for the quarter ended April 30 rose to $33.7 million, beating its guidance range of $29.5 million to $31.5 million.

Net sales for first quarter 2011 increased 10% to $2.77 billion and same-store club sales rose 6.3%.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.  — Staples reported that total company sales for the first quarter of 2011 increased 2% to $6.2 billion compared with the first quarter of 2010.  Net income for the first quarter of 2011 increased 5% year-over-year to $198 million, and diluted earnings per share, on a GAAP basis, increased 8% to 28 cents from 26 cents in the first quarter of 2010.

Minneapolis -- Despite weakened sales in the first quarter ended April 30, Target Corp. saw net income rise 2.7% on the strength of its credit-card business.

The retailer reported on Wednesday net income of $689 million in the first quarter, up from $671 million in the year-ago period.

Total revenue rose 2.2% to $15.94 billion. Same-store sales rose 2%.

Analysts expected revenue of $16.02 billion.