News

Destination Maternity swings to loss in tough Q2
Moorestown, N.J. – Destination Maternity Corp. swung to a loss in a generally difficult second quarter of fiscal 2015.

Costs related to store closures and headquarters relocation helped drive the retailer to a net loss of $2.68 million from net income of $321,000 a year earlier.
J.C. Penney, Bluemercury to speak at Texas A&M Summit
Dallas – Some major retailers are participating in the 30th Retailing Summit conference hosted by The Texas A&M University’s Center for Retailing Studies at Mays Business School.

Marvin Ellison, the new CEO of The J.C. Penney Co. Inc. and Barry Beck, co-founder and COO of Bluemercury, which was recently purchased by Macy’s, will be among the speakers at the conference, held Oct. 8-9 at the Westin Galleria in Dallas.

Michaels looking good in Q2

Irving, Texas – Better timing of distribution expenses, the elimination of operating costs of 40 shuttered stores and an improved merchandising strategy helped drive sales growth at Michaels in the second quarter.

The retailer posted net income of $35.7 million in the second quarter, compared to a net loss of $48.6 million in the same period a year earlier.
IHL: Softgoods retailers prefer these two POS vendors

Franklin, Tenn. – When it comes to their POS systems, specialty softgoods retailers have two clear preferences.
Own the Moment Hockey Experience, Burlington, Massachusetts

Bauer Hockey's first-ever physical store is designed to provide the ultimate showcase for the 88-year-old brand and the sport itself, combining expert help, customer service extras and extensive selection.

The 20,000-sq.-ft. store features an indoor ice rink where customers can try out equipment before they buy it. Some 25 digital screens show visual highlights of the game and add to the excitement of the space. An on-site laboratory offers expert skate sharpening services.

Own the Moment was designed by Toronto-based Perennial Inc.
Ulta roars ahead in Q2; on track to open 100 stores and launch TV advertising

Bolingbrook, Ill. -- Fast-growing Ulta Beauty shows no signs of losing its momentum as the specialty retailer reported better than-expected results for the second quarter and raised its guidance.

On its quarterly earnings call, Ulta said it will launch a national television advertising campaign.

Ulta’s net profits increased 8.5% to $74.2 million, from $60.8 million in the year-ago period, helped by an improved online assortment and less overall discounting.
Bebe looks to China for growth

Brisbane, Calif. – Bebe Stores Inc. continues to expand its global presence.

Bebe announced it has signed a five-year strategic cooperation agreement with Shanghai-based brand agency Longgoal LLC to open between 60 and 150 Bebe stores, shop-in-shops and third-party retailers in Greater China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. The first store is expected to open in the summer of 2016.
Lack of hit books hits Books-A-Million

Birmingham, Ala. – Books-A-Million needs more best-sellers.

A lack of hit books hit fiscal results of Books-A-Million Inc. during the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Net loss grew to $5.8 million from $3 million the same quarter a year earlier, with costs and expenses rising or staying flat in the face of slipping revenues.

Net sales dipped to $107.9 million, from $108.3 million. Same-store sales dropped 0.3%.
Big Lots Q2 beats Street; announces exec promotions

Columbus, Ohio – Big Lots on Friday reported second-quarter profit and revenue that beat analysts' estimates. The retailer also announced several promotions as part of a realignment of its supply chain management.

Big Lots’ net income dropped 13% to a better-than-expected $17.63 million from $19.94 million, with loss from discontinued operations cutting otherwise flat profit.

Net sales for the quarter increased 1% to $1.21 billion, from $1.19 billion. Same-store sales rose 2.8%.
GameStop scores big jump in same store sales

GameStop Corp. grew sales and revenue in the second quarter, but it also took steps to expand its non-gaming business.

For the second quarter ended Aug. 1, the retailer’s net income rose 3% to $25.3 million from $24.6 million. Total global sales rose 2% to $1.76 billion from $1.73 billion, and consolidated global same-store sales increased 8.1% (10.8% in the U.S. and 1.8% internationally).
Big changes and growth for Big Lots

The turnaround plan at Big Lots, which is helping the retailer grow profit and same store sales, is also prompting some management changes.

For the second quarter ended Aug. 1, same store sales increased 2.8%. Net sales increased 1.2% to $1,209.7 million. Big Lots reported a profit of $17.6 million, or 34 cents a share, down from $19.9 million, or 36 cents, a year earlier. Excluding certain items, per-share profit rose to 40 cents from 31 cents. Revenue edged 1.2% higher to $1.21 billion.
Ulta: A thing of beauty

Ulta Beauty is continuing to deliver blockbuster financial results by attracting blockbuster numbers of shoppers to its stores.

The beauty retailer reported a 7% increase in customer traffic for the second quarter ended Aug. 1 and average spending rose by 3%. The company also raised its outlook for the second time this year: Comps are now targeted at rising 9%, rather than the 8% the Ulta team forecast in May.