News

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — It has been a rough couple years for retailers, and no segment has been hit harder than office products, which has suffered a double whammy from the downturn in consumer and business spending. Staples, long the leader in the office products industry, has fared better than rivals Office Depot and OfficeMax, and its dominance was evident again on Wednesday, even if the second quarter results the company reported were uninspiring.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target reported second quarter earnings per share of $1.03 that beat analysts’ estimates by a nickel, and the company elevated its full year profit forecast amid ongoing success of key initiatives.

Retail sales increased 5.1% to $15.9 billion from $15.1 billion thanks to a 3.9% same-store sales increase and the addition of several new stores. Operating profit for the retail business increased at a slower rate, rising 4.6% to $1.147 billion from $1.096 billion.

Westborough, Mass. -- BJ's Wholesale Club reported Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended July 30 increased 28% to $45.7 million, compared with $35.7 million in the year-ago period.

The warehouse club operator said revenue rose 11% to $3.05 billion from $2.75 billion, beating an expected $2.98 billion. Revenue from membership fees increased to $51.8 million from $47.5 million, while net sales rose to $2.98 billion from $2.69 billion. Same-store sales rose 7.8%, including a 4% contribution from fuel sales.

South Denver’s Park Meadows regional mall is officially 15 years old -- and it is celebrating throughout the month of August with free community entertainment and activities, culminating in a free community pancake breakfast August 30, 2011.

MINNEAPOLIS — Customers can save on back-to-school shopping by trading in used electronics and video games for store credit, Target said.

The mass merchandiser said it expanded its Electronics Trade-In service to 1,490 stores with Target Mobile centers, and also added new product categories. The chain offers the program under a partnership with consumer electronics upgrade and trade-in company NextWorth, giving customers credit in return. The service is accepting calculators, DVDs, video games, Nintendo DS units, cell phones, iPods and iPads.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — eBay announced that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Magento Inc., the creators of Magento, a leading open source e-commerce platform. The deal follows eBay’s acquisition of a minority stake in the company in 2010. eBay now owns 100% of the outstanding shares of Magento. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples reported Wednesday that profit for the quarter ended July 30 rose 36% to $176.4 million, compared with $129.8 million in the year-ago period. The quarter included the first weeks of the back-to-school shopping season.

Revenue rose 5% to $5.82 billion, beating Wall Street’s expected $5.64 billion. Same-store sales were flat.


 

Fort Myers, Fla. -- Chico’s FAS reported Wednesday that its profit for the second quarter surged 42% to $43.4 million, up from $30.5 million a year earlier. Revenue rose 18% to $551.4 million, topping Wall Street’s expected $536.3 million, and same-store sales increased 12.8%. By brand, same-store sales were up 11.9% at Chico and Sonoma Intimates, and comps were up 14.9% at White House | Black Market.