Data & Analytics

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe's Cos. Inc. on Monday reported lower-than-expected second quarter results, with its results hurt by a timing shift and a charge tied to job cuts. The chain also lowered its fiscal 2012 earnings and revenue outlooks.

Lowe’s earned $747 million for the period ended Aug. 3, down from $830 million in the year-ago period. Sales fell 2% to $14.25 billion. Same-store sales fell 0.4% and dipped 0.2% at U.S. locations.

The company noted that fiscal 2012 has one less week than last year.

Dallas -- PeopleAnswers announced a software licensing agreement with Boston Market to use the PeopleAnswers HR solution to help identify and select all field employees in its 476 locations across the United States.

Houston -- Stage Stores and Alliance Data Systems announced that they have signed a long-term amended and restated private-label credit card renewal agreement for private-label credit card services.
 
Under the terms of the agreement, Alliance Data’s Retail Services business will continue to provide a full suite of private-label credit card services geared toward driving sales and brand loyalty to grow Stage Stores’ customer base.

New York -- Apple Inc. became the most valuable public company of all time on Monday, after its market value climbed beyond $620 billion to surpass a milestone set by Microsoft Corp. more than 10 years ago, Reuters reported.

Apple shares reached a high of $664.74 on Monday morning, giving them a total value of $623.14 billion. This broke past the record of $620.58 billion set by Microsoft back in 1999, according to the report.

Mooresville, N.C.-based Lowe’s posted declines in net sales, comp-store sales and earnings in the second quarter ended Aug. 3.

“Our results fell short of our overall expectations,” said Robert Niblock, Lowe’s chairman, president and CEO. “However, I have confidence in our strategy and in our employees, and while we recognize the significant magnitude of change that we’ve asked the organization to absorb as we transform our business, we fully understand that we must improve our level of execution.”

By Shelley E. Kohan, [email protected]

SEATTLE — Fashion retailer Nordstrom has launched a new iPad app to help customers browse and shop for their next looks.

Features of the app include:

• The Dressing Room: This feature offers customers an interactive way to create and save multiple looks by double-tapping or dragging items to the Dressing Room canvas.

 

Kearney, Neb. -- The Buckle reported Thursday that net income for the period ended July 28 dipped 2% to $23.2 million, compared with $23.6 million in the year-ago period, but matching forecasts.
 
Net sales rose 2% to $215.5 million, just missing Wall Street’s expected $215.9 million in revenue. Same-store sales dipped 0.8%.