Data & Analytics

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. raised its outlook for the year after reporting better-than-expected net income for the third quarter on growing sales. It was the latest sign that the long beleaguered chain may be finally entering a turnaround.

For the three months ended Oct. 27, the company said it earned $308 million, compared with $193 million in the year

Hoffman Estates,Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp.'s third-quarter loss widened amid declining sales and higher tax expenses.

For the quarter ended Oct. 27, Sears reported a loss of $498 million, compared with a year-earlier loss of $421 million.

Revenue slipped 5.8%, to $8.86 billion, primarily due to the effect of having fewer Kmart and Sears stores in operation and lower domestic comparable store sales for the quarter.

Chicago -- Retailers project a 3.1% increase in sales on Black Friday, according to a survey of top retail chief marketing officers by BDO USA, LLP. This optimism follows last year's modest projection of 1.6% growth, which preceded record sales over Thanksgiving weekend.

Phoenix -- Manthan Systems announced that Sprouts Farmers Markets has selected Manthan’s ARC platform for enterprise-wide reporting and analytics. Currently operating 148 retail stores across eight states, Sprouts Farmers Markets has become synonymous with fresh produce, great prices and old-fashioned customer service.

By Kiran Kumar Malathkar, [email protected]

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores Inc. reported Thursday that net income rose 10.8% to $159.5 million in the third quarter, compared with $144 million a year earlier.

Revenue rose 10.6% to $2.26 billion, missing Wall Street’s expected $2.34 billion in revenue. Same-store sales climbed 5%.

The retailer has reaffirmed its guidance for the fourth quarter.

City of Industry, Calif. -- Hot Topic Inc. reported Wednesday that profit for the third quarter jumped 38% to $4.3 million, from $3.1 million in the year-ago quarter.

Revenue edged up 2% to $179.4 million from $175.8 million, missing Wall Street’s expected $182.9 million in revenue.

Same-store sales rose a slight 0.2%.

Kearney, Neb. -- The Buckle reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 27 rose 9% to $41.9 million, boosted by online strength and higher same-store sales.

Overall revenue rose 4% to $284.1 million, beating Wall Street’s predicted $282.8 million. Same-store sales climbed 2.4%.

Atlanta -- A majority of retailers say delivering a consistent customer experience is their top priority this holiday season, according to a new survey.

Supply chain and retail technology provider RedPrairie released results of its “Holiday Hiring Snapshot” survey of 250 big-box, specialty, grocery, convenience store and food service retailers based in the United States, finding that nearly 60% cited the importance of consistency, with 29% saying they would hire more seasonal workers this year than last year.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. reported Thursday net income of $637 million for the third quarter, compared with $555 million in the prior-year period and beating Wall Street expectations.
 
The retailer previously reported that sales rose 3.4% to $16.60 billion in the quarter, and same-store sales climbed 2.9%.

Target is forecasting a fourth-quarter earnings range that at the high-end tops estimates.