Data & Analytics

New York -- It’s no secret that the past winter took a heavy toll on retailers, with bitterly cold weather and snow storms keeping customers at home and sales down. But the snow also had a negative impact on retailers in other ways, as Kohl’s Corp. revealed Thursday on its quarterly conference with analysts.

Kohl’s couldn't combat weak consumer spending in the first quarter despite launching a loyalty program and new advertising initiatives.

Kevin Mansell, Kohl's chairman, chief executive officer and president, said: "Sales were modestly below our original expectations for the quarter, but accelerated in the March/April combined period after a weak February. We are very pleased with our earnings results, with a more balanced promotional calendar driving merchandise margin combined with strong expense control."

Menomonee Falls, Wis. – Kohl’s Corp. exceeded Wall Street expectations for profit but missed analysts’ expectations with its sales and same-store sales performance during a mixed first quarter of fiscal 2015.

Net income climbed 2% to $127 million from $125 million in the year-earlier period, aided by improved expense management.

Milwaukee – A sharp reduction in loss from continuing operations, primarily related to the sale of the Rainbow banner to Supervalu, helped Roundy’s Inc. cut net loss to $2.33 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, from $4.52 million the same quarter a year earlier. Net sales rose 14% to $981.93 million from $862.69 million, while same-store sales dropped 1.6%.

Seattle – Starbucks Corp. is denying reports that hackers illegally gained entry into accounts of some users of its mobile app. Multiple media reports have indicated hackers broke into hundreds of accounts of Starbucks app users, stole their stored value, and leveraged the reload function to obtain customer payment card data.

In a statement, Starbucks said news reports of a hack are false and that it occasionally receives reports of unauthorized activity caused by criminals re-using names and passwords stolen from other customer accounts.

Grapevine, Texas – It’s not something from an episode of the classic black-and-white TV series “The Twilight Zone.” Monsters are coming to a street near you, courtesy of GameStop and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

Sunrise, Fla. -- Roark Capital Group, an Atlanta-based private equity firm focused on consumer brands, said that that its affiliate has acquired pet specialty retailer Pet Supermarket from Charles E. West, Jr., the company's founder. Pet Supermarket will remain headquartered in Sunrise, Florida, and continue to be led by Diane Holtz, its CEO.

Pet Supermarket operates 155 pet specialty retail stores in 11 states generating over $300 million of revenue.  

The owner of Corner Bakery, Arby’s and Batteries Plus, among other national retailers, has acquired Pet Supermarket.

Atlanta-based private equity firm Roark Capital Group says Pet Supermarket will remain headquartered in Sunrise, Fla., and continue to be led by CEO Diane Holtz. Pet Supermarket operates 155 pet specialty retail stores in 11 states generating over $300 million of revenue.