Data & Analytics

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Shopatron, the flexible fulfillment company, has announced the appointment of Dave Morrison as its CFO.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — The TJX Companies reported that net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 increased 11% to $5.8 billion and consolidated comparable-store sales increased 8%. Net income for the first quarter was $419 million and diluted earnings per share were 55 cents.

PLANO, Texas —  From personnel changes to its new "fair and square" price strategy, JCPenney has put a lot into changing the company's image, and investors are waiting for it to pay off. For the first quarter, the company reported an adjusted net loss of $55 million or 25 cents per share, excluding markdowns taken as a result of the company's continuing efforts to reduce inventory levels to align with its new strategy, restructuring and management transition charges and non-cash qualified pension expense.

WASHINGTON — A Tuesday report by the Commerce Department showed that U.S. retail sales during the month of April edged up 0.1%, following a 0.7% gain in March and marking the smallest rise of the year so far. The gain was in line with projections.

Excluding auto sales, retail sales climbed 0.1% in April.

CINCINNATI — The International Association for Food Protection is honoring Kroger with the 2012 Black Pearl Award for advancing food safety and quality.

The  (IAFP) names one company annually for its efforts to advance food safety and quality through consumer programs, employee relations, educational activities, adherence to standards, and support of the goals and objectives of the IAFP.

ATLANTA — Warm weather and demand for core products helped drive up sales and earnings at The Home Depot during its fiscal first quarter. The company reported sales of $17.8 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2012, a 5.9% increase from the first quarter of fiscal 2011. Comparable-store sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 were positive 5.8%, and comp sales for U.S. stores were positive 6.1%.

MINNEAPOLIS — A new era is emerging at Best Buy as the company tries to come back from the fallout over disgraced former CEO Brian Dunn and re-establish itself is the dominant player in the CE space. To that end, the company's board of directors has elected Hatim Tyabji to succeed Richard Schulze as chairman of the company, effective at the conclusion of the annual meeting on June 21. Tyabji, currently chairman of the audit committee, has served as a director of Best Buy since 1998.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on Costco common stock and approved an increase from 24 cents to 27.5 cents per share, or from 96 cents per share to $1.10 per share on an annualized basis.

The quarterly dividend is payable June 8 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 25.

Costco plans to release its operating results for the third quarter, ended May 6, on May 24.