Data & Analytics

York, Penn. – The Bon-Ton Stores Inc. saw its net loss grow to $39.6 million from $36.2 million in a difficult second quarter of fiscal 2015. An early mortgage termination led to the increased loss.
Unseasonably cool weather and shrinking traffic drove net sales down 1% to $555.4 million from $563.5 million. Same-store sales fell 0.2%, although e-commerce sales grew in the double digits.  

Houston — Stage Stores Inc. plans to close 90 underperforming stores, representing 4% of total sales, after a disappointing second quarter that missed Wall Street expectations for profit and revenue. The retailer expects the closures to enhance its capital efficiency, deliver higher productivity and be accretive to earnings.

The 90 closings include 27 stores expected to be shut down during fiscal 2015. Stage also plans to open three new stores during the fiscal year.

Columbus, Ohio — L Brands Inc. met Wall Street expectations with profit and revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Net income grew 7% to $202.48 million from $188.36 million the same period a year earlier.

The cost of goods sold rose at a slower rate than net sales, helping boost profits. Net sales grew 4% to $2.76 billion from $2.67 billion. Same-store sales rose 3% overall, with the Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works banners both posting a 3% same-store sales lift.

Jacksonville, Fla. — Profit almost doubled at Stein Mart Inc. during the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Stein Mart reported net income of $4.1 million, up 58% from $1.7 million the prior year quarter.

A slow pace of growth in cost of merchandise sold and essentially flat selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses helped drive strong profit growth. Net sales rose 4% to $311.58 million from $298.16 million.

Kearney, Neb. — The Buckle Inc. beat Wall Street expectations for profit in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. The retailer achieved this feat even as net income slipped 4% to $23.5 million from $24.1 million.

Growth in cost of sales and selling expenses cut The Buckle’s profit. Net sales increased 0.1% to $236.1 million from $235.7 million. Same-store sales decreased 1.7%. In one bright note, online sales increased 17% to $20.1 million from $17.1 million.

L Brands Inc. continues to elude the troubles that have plagued other mall retailers, as the company reported a spike in same store sales.

The parent company of Bath and Body Works and Victoria's Secret said earnings per share for the second quarter ended Aug. 1 increased 8% to 68 cents compared to 63 cents for the quarter ended Aug. 2, 2014. Net income was $202.5 million compared to $188.4 million last year. Same store sales increased 4%.

Thanks to some financial engineering, Sears Holdings overcame a double digit decline in same store sales to produce a second quarter profit or a less severe loss depending on the arithmetic used.

Sam’s Club is taking its efforts to woo small business customers to social media.

The retailer is launching #SmallBizHelp, an interactive social media campaign that offers expert advice on starting and running a business.

Stage Stores Inc. lowered its profit forecast for the year and said it plans to close at least 90 underperforming stores as the retailer invests more on digital.

The retailer said it expects the closures to enhance its capital efficiency, deliver higher productivity and allow it to invest more money in the online sales product mix and technology in general.

Oak Brook, Ill. – Increased retail operating expenses, primarily related to store acquisitions and advertising, helped reduce profit at Ace Hardware Corp. during the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Net income totaled $57.5 million, a 13% drop from $66.5 million the same quarter a year earlier.

Consolidated revenues fared better, rising 6% to $86.2 billion from $84.8 billion.