Data & Analytics

Phoenix – PetSmart reported a 12% increase in net income, to $92 million from $82 million a year earlier, during the third quarter of 2013. Total sales grew about 4%, to $1.69 billion from $1.62 billion, while same-store sales increased 2.7%.

Looking ahead, PetSmart predicts same-store sales growth of 3%-3.5% and total sales growth of approximately 3% for fiscal 2013. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, PetSmart forecasts same-store sales growth of 2.5%-3.5% and a 2%-3% decrease in total sales.

Canton, Mass. – Men’s big-and-tall apparel retailer Destination XL reported a loss of $4.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013, up from $1.6 million a year earlier.

Net sales dropped fractionally to $88.2 million from $88.7 million, partially offset by a 4.4% increase in same-store sales.

New York – Foot Locker’s net income fell 2% in the third quarter, dropping to $104 million from $106 million.

Total revenue grew 6.4% to $1.62 million from $1.52 million, above estimates. Same-store sales increased 4.1%.

Cost of sales and income tax expense both increased during the quarter, affecting net income. During the third quarter, the company opened 28 new stores, remodeled or relocated 118 stores, and closed 13 stores.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores Inc. reported third-quarter profit of $171.6 million, up from $159.5 million a year earlier, on higher sales and gross margins. Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, the off-retailer forecast earnings below Street estimates and said it was adopting a more cautious outlook for the quarter.

New York – Ann Inc. reported better-than-expected income and sales for the third quarter. The retailer Ann Inc. posted third-quarter earnings of $41.2 million, compared to $40.7 million in the year-earlier quarter.  

Net sales grew 7% to $657.3 million from $612.5 million. Total same-store sales increased 3.7%. By brand, same-store sales inched up 0.6% at Ann Taylor and 5.6% at Loft. However, sales fell 6.9% in the Ann Taylor Factory channel.

By Maria Haggerty, president, Dotcom Distribution

More than 1,000 U.S. merchants will offer free shipping this Dec. 18 on all orders with guaranteed delivery by Christmas. Just six days before Christmas, free shipping day attracts troves of last-minute shoppers looking for a good deal and generated more than one billion dollars in online sales last year.

Walmart’s reputation took a pounding this week when well-intentioned efforts by employees to help co-workers at several stores were distorted by media outlets and a high profile celebrity who lapped up organized labor’s interpretation of the situation.

Leading global beauty company Coty has announced that OPI founder and CEO George Schaeffer plans to retire. Schaeffer will continue to work with OPI's management team through a newly created role as OPI's strategic board adviser.

Schaeffer founded OPI in 1981 and has grown the brand’s portfolio of shades to more than 400. After more than 30 years of leading OPI, Schaeffer will focus on the Schaeffer Family Foundation and multiple charities that support health-related causes and children's education.

Sporting two wind turbines, nearly 850 solar panels and a geothermal system burrowed 550 ft. into the ground, Walgreens celebrated the official opening of what the retailer believes to be the nation’s first net-zero energy retail store, anticipated to produce energy equal to or greater than it consumes.

Kirkland’s plans to continue investing in its e-commerce business and anticipates executing a more aggressive approach to store growth, following strong third-quarter results.

The company reported net sales for the third quarter ended Nov. 2 of $106.1 million, a 9.8% increase from $96.7 million for the year-ago quarter. Comparable-store sales, including e-commerce sales, for the quarter increased 4.9% compared with a decrease of 4.7% in the year-ago quarter.