Data & Analytics

Phoenix -- PetSmart Inc. reported Thursday that profit for the fourth quarter rose 13% to $102 million, compared with $90.3 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue during the quarter was $1.64 billion, up from $1.52 billion a year earlier and beating Wall Street’s expected $1.62 billion in revenue. Same-store sales rose 5.5%.

For the full year of 2011, the company reported net income of $290.2 million, up from $239.9 million in 2010. Revenue for the year was $6.11 billion, up from $5.69 billion the year before.

Coral Gables, Fla. -- A University of Miami study found that the display of a social media icon such as a Facebook “Like” button or a Twitter symbol on a shopping website influences a consumer’s buying decision.

Chelmsford, Mass. -- The Kronox Retail Labor Index released by the company on Thursday showed that retail hiring is on the rise, even as fewer people seek jobs in the retail sector.

The Index jumped to 4.2%, up nearly 7% from last year, indicating a potential recovery in the labor market. The number of applications edged down 1.3% , which is down nearly 6% from its level one year ago, pointing to applicants seeking employment in other growing industries.

Eden Prairie, Minn. -- Supervalu announced the launch of a custom-built mobile application designed to give customers the tools they need to be efficient while shopping our stores.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco is off to a good start in 2012, with high increases in second-quarter sales and earnings.

The company reported that net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 increased 10% to $22.51 billion, from $20.45 billion last year. Total comparable-store sales for the quarter increased 8%, consisting of an 8% increase at both U.S. and international clubs. Excluding the impact of fuel, comparable-store sales were up 7%, consisting of a 7% increase at U.S. clubs and a 10% increase at international clubs.

New York City -- Costco Wholesale Corp. posted a bigger-than-expected rise in quarterly profit on Wednesday. Rising gasoline prices had a positive impact on sales at Costco, which prices its fuel below nearby stations.

Net income in the quarter ended Feb. 12 rose 13% to $394 million, from $348 million a year earlier.

Sales rose 10% to $22.51 billion. Same-store sales rose 8%, better than analysts had expected. 

Youngstown, Ohio -- Cafaro Co. announced that it will make Me-Ality (Measured Reality) available at its South Hill Mall, in Puyallup, Wash., and Eastwood Mall, in Niles, Ohio.

Me-Ality is a free service that uses cutting-edge technology to precisely determine a customer’s exact body measurement and provide a list of recommendations of where to find the best-fitting apparel to flatter that body.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Three Wal-Mart Stores executives will share insights at two key retail conferences on March 7.