Business Analytics

Kroger Co. lowered the higher end of its full-year adjusted profit forecast amid a “difficult” operating environment, marked by falling food prices and increased competition.    The nation’s largest grocery store operator reported net earnings of $391 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, and identical supermarket sales growth, without fuel, of 0.1% in the third quarter, which ended on Nov. 5. Net earnings in the same period last year were $428 million, or $0.43 per diluted share.  

It’s not a joke.   Amazon Web Services has announced a new service, called AWS Snowmobile, designed to physically get all of the data stored in a company's massive data center into Amazon's cloud, Business Insider reported.     

It’s a rough time for many teen apparel retailers and the holiday season may not bring much relief.   American Eagle Outfitters Inc. on Wednesday issued a weaker than expected forecast for the fourth quarter as its CEO cited a “tough” retail environment. Its warnings issues similar statements from the likes of Abercrombie & Fitch and Gap.    

When it comes to customer satisfaction surveys, a convenience store is at the top of the class.    That’s according to a study by Interaction Metrics which finds that retailers are wasting customers’ time — and their own — by conducting critically flawed satisfaction surveys.  

An LED upgrade has added to Rosenberg True Value Hardware’s to bottom line profitably.     The retailer, who operates two True Value stores in Michigan (in the towns of White Cloud and Grant), switched out the existing T8 fluorescent lamps in the stores in favor of 18-watt, 2200 lumen, 4000K, four-ft. T8 LED linear tubes (from EarthTronics, Muskegon, Michigan).   

After four consecutive quarters of year-over-year earnings decline, DSW Inc. got back on track in its third quarter.   The footwear and accessories retailer had adjusted net income of $42 million, or 51 cents per diluted share, a 16% year-over-year improvement and 3 cents above estimates.  

Dollar Tree on Tuesday reported a third-quarter profit that more than doubled compared to last year amid lower merchandise and freight costs. The retailer also lifted its guidance for the fourth quarter.    Dollar Tree’s net income for the quarter, ended Oct. 29, rose to a better-than-expected $171.6 million, or 72 cents a share, up from $81.9 million, or 35 cents a share, in the year-ago period. The prior year included some charges and markdowns related to the Family Dollar business, which Dollar Tree acquired in 2015.

Cost cuts help improve Barnes & Noble’s profitability in the third quarter even as its sales continued to decline.    “While we are pleased to have improved our performance due to expense reductions, we did experience sluggish sales, which we believe are directly related to the election cycle,” said Len Riggio, chairman and CEO of Barnes & Noble. "With the election behind us, we hope and expect sales will improve over the holidays."  

Mid-America Asset Management has named Tracee Johnson senior asset manager, investing her with full responsibility for maintaining relationships with retail tenants.   Johnson, a 10-year veteran of Mid-America, will also be responsible for budgeting and operational planning and oversight of the more than 60 million sq. ft. of retail the company leases and manages throughout the Midwest.   Johnson is a licensed real estate broker in Illinois.

---