Data & Analytics

Charlotte, N.C. -- Women’s apparel retailer Cato Corp. said Thursday that first-quarter profit rose 4% to $31.7 million, from $30.5 million last year, prompting the company to raise its full-year profit forecast.

Sales inched up 1% to $275.3 million, but same-store sales dipped 2% among its Cato, Cato Fashions, Cato Plus, It's Fashion, It's Fashion Metro and Versona Accessories banners.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart said Thursday that net income for the quarter ended April 28 slid 26% to $11.8 million, compared with $15.9 million in the same period last year.

Revenue was basically flat at $303.4 million, missing Wall Street’s expected $303.9 million in revenue, and same-store sales dipped 0.4%.

The company said it expects to open four new stores, relocate four stores and close four stores during the second half of 2012.
 

Secaucus, N.J. -- The Children's Place reported Thursday that net income for the first quarter slid 19% to $23.6 million from $29.1 million last year, but beat Wall Street forecasts and prompted the retailer to raise the low end of its full-year outlook.

Revenue rose 2% to $438.5 million from $430.8 million, widely missing Wall Street’s expected $447.7 million in revenue, and same-store sales dipped 0.7%.
 

Atlanta -- Commerce solution provider Innotrac Corp. said Thursday that Charlotte Russe has selected it to provide fulfillment and contact center solutions for the retailer’s growing e-commerce business.

Innotrac said it will provide e-commerce fulfillment and high-touch customer care services for Charlotte Russe, which also includes returns processing. Innotrac is working closely to integrate with Charlotte Russe's e-commerce platform powered by MICROS-Retail, ensuring a seamless customer experience across all major touch points.
 

Does J.C. Penney have time on its side? Or to put it another way: How long will investors wait for J.C. Penney’s transformation? Because, based on the chain’s awful first quarter, it doesn’t appear to have even taken root yet. I’m not surprised.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. reported Thursday that it generated a profit of $189 million for the quarter ended April 28, after losing $170 million in the same period last year. The improvement was due largely to a $233-million gain from selling off some of its stores.

Columbus, Ohio -- Limited Brands Inc. reported Wednesday a first-quarter profit of $124.6 million, compared with $165.2 million in the year-ago period. Results topped Wall Street estimates.

Net sales slipped to $2.15 billion from $2.22 billion, and same-store sales increased 7%.
 

The steady erosion of newspaper circulations naturally has led many to predict that the printed ad circular is not much long for this world and will quickly disappear as consumers demand more digitized ads and coupons. Last year, the Associated Press, along with 32 other publishers and 30 retailers, launched iCircular to help stave off declining ad revenue.

MINNEAPOLIS — First quarter earnings at Target exceeded a profit forecast the company increased last month after a strong start to the quarter.

When JCPenney hired former Target chief marketer, Michael Francis, to serve as president, the company no doubt thought he would bring with him a bit of Target's magic. Now, about six months since he assumed his role at JCPenney, the company has undergone a number of personnel changes and the implementation of its new "fair and square" price strategy, and investors are waiting for it to pay off.