Data & Analytics

Canton, Mass. -- First-quarter net income dropped 45% at Casual Male Retail Group Inc., hurt by a higher tax rate. The chain’s tax rate jumped to 40.4% from 10.1% due to the reversal of a valuation allowance in fiscal 2011.

The retailer reported Friday that it earned $2.3 million for the three months ended April 28. That's down from $4.2 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue edged up slightly to $95.9 million from $95.8 million on better sales at its DXL and Casual Male XL stores and more money spent per customer.

Nashville, Tenn. -- Kirkland's first-quarter profit dropped 38% amid promotions and price cuts. The company also issued disappointing predictions for the current quarter and full year.

Kirkland’s said it earned $2 million for the quarter ended April 28, down from $3.2 million last year.

Sales rose 3.6% to $97.8 million from $94.4 million. Same-store sales edged down 1.2%.

The home décor chain said it increased marketing to counter a drop in sales.

Portland, Ore. -- Safeway launched an online and mobile shopping program, called Just for U, in the company's Oregon and Washington divisions. The program, which delivers targeted savings directly to a customer's Safeway Club Card, can be accessed through the new Safeway Mobile App for iPhone or Android.

New York -- Ann Inc.'s fiscal first-quarter net income increased a better-than-expected 5%, boosted by growing sales at its Loft division. The chain, which also operates Ann Taylor, said Friday that it earned $28.7 million in the three months through April 28, up from $27.3 million a year earlier.

New York -- Foot Locker's first-quarter profit rose 36%, exceeding Wall Street predictions. For the quarter ended April 28, the company earned $128 million, up from $94 million in the same quarter last year.

"2012 has gotten off to an outstanding start, with our first quarter results representing the highest level of quarterly earnings in the company's history," said chairman and CEO Ken Hicks.

Sales rose 8.7% to $1.58 billion from $1.45 billion. Same-store sales increased 9.7%.

By Craig McLaughlin, [email protected]

There is a growing trend in the loyalty rewards space -- using reward points as currency, creating a more holistic, streamlined approach to loyalty programs.

CAMDEN, N.J. — Campbell's has tapped Walgreens' social media director to lead the soup maker's digital marketing and social media efforts.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores reported Thursday that net income for the first quarter surged 21% to $208.6 million, from $173 million in the same period last year.

Sales increased 14% to $2.4 billion, and same-store sales rose 9%.

“We believe that favorable weather across many of our markets also contributed to our above-plan performance," said Michael Balmuth, CEO, about the results.

HOFFMANESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings posted net income of $189 million in the quarter, compared with a loss of $165 million in the prior-year period.

After several rounds of closings of Kmart and Sears full-line stores in the past months, revenues decreased $270 million to $9.3 billion for the quarter ended April 28. Domestic comp-store sales declined 1.3% -- 1.0% at Sears Domestic and 1.6% at Kmart. Sears also saw declines in its home appliances and consumer electronics categories.

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. said Thursday that profit for the quarter ended April 28 was flat compared with the year-ago period, but its results beat Wall Street forecasts and prompted the retailer to raise its outlook for the year.

Gap reported a profit of $233 million for the first quarter. Revenue rose 6% to $3.49 billion, beating analysts’ estimated $3.46 billion in revenue, and same-store sales rose 4%.