Data & Analytics

Fort Myers, Fla. – Chico’s FAS’ profit was down sharply in the fourth quarter.

The retailer reported adjusted net income of $5.9 million for the quarter, ended Feb. 1, down from $32.7 million a year ago. The adjusted results exclude the impact of tax charges related to its purchase of Boston Proper, and other acquisition costs.

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. on Thursday reported a 12.5% decline in fourth-quarter profit, with its results impacted by heavy discounting during the holidays. The retailer also issued a profit outlook for the full year that is below analysts' expectations, and said it will open 30 additional U.S. stores during fiscal year 2014.

Gap reported net income of $307 million for the three-month period ended Feb. 1, better than the Street expected, down from $351 million in the year-ago period.

Walmart’s release of a sustainable chemistry implementation guide may not sound like the biggest news to come out of Bentonville, but the directives contained in the document are sure to have wide-ranging implications for suppliers’ products.
 

Minneapolis – Best Buy’s “Renew Blue” cost reduction program appears to be succeeding, as the retailer reported profit instead of loss during the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2013. The improvements came even as revenues in both periods declined compared to the same periods a year earlier.

During the fourth quarter, Best Buy reported net earnings of $311 million, a substantial improvement from its $460 million net loss a year earlier and above Wall Street projections.

Kohl’s reported a profit of $334 million, or $1.56 per share, for the fourth quarter ended Feb. 1, down from $378 million, or $1.66 a share, a year earlier. The retailer attributed the dip to an increase in e-commerce shipping costs and holiday season markdowns.

But the retailer expressed confidence in its inventory levels and assortment, adding that it is well-positioned for spring and anticipates sales increases.

New York – Billionaire investor Carl Icahn, who released an open letter criticizing the board of EBay for conflicts of interest on Feb. 24, has released a second open letter outlining what he calls six facts about questionable decisions by the current EBay board.

eBay Enterprise, a leading global provider of commerce technologies, retail order management, fulfillment and customer care services and marketing services for retailers and brands, has extended its partnership with Karmaloop to provide marketing solutions that increase conversion.

Dallas -- Alliance Data Systems, a global provider of data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions, today announced its Retail Services business has signed a multi-year renewal agreement to continue providing both private label and co-brand credit card services for lifestyle and entertainment retailer HSN.