News

North Bergen, N.J. -- Vitamin Shoppe reported Thursday that net income in the second quarter increased 64% to $11.95 million, compared with $7.3 million in the year-ago period. The retailer cited strong sales both in-store and online for its improved performance.

Revenue rose 12.3% to $215.9 million, topping Wall Street expectations.  Same-store sales increased 8% in the quarter.

Vitamin Shoppe said it is on track to open 48 new stores in the fiscal year.
 

AUSTIN — While the White House may be working with several retailers to combat so-called food deserts, those who can afford to spend more on their grocery bill are doing just that, helping to drive up profits at Whole Foods.

The company reported that its third-quarter profit rose 35% to $88.5 million, compared with $65.7 million in the year-earlier period.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation announced that it is urging Congress to reach an agreement and raise the debt ceiling in order to avoid default.

NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay issued the following statement:

NEW YORK — Gilt Groupe Inc., a members-only online shopping destination, has named Melissa Liebling-Goldberg as editorial director for the women's category, effective immediately. In this position, Liebling-Goldberg is charged with expanding the category's editorial voice and building strong, lasting partnerships in the category while producing dynamic content for the website. Liebling-Goldberg will report directly to Jyothi Rao, general manager of Women's at Gilt Groupe.

NEW YORK — Liz Claiborne, the parent company behind such premium brands as Juicy Couture, Kate Spade and Lucky Brand, department store-based brands including Kensie and the licensed DKNY Jeans and DKNY Active brands and its own retail brands, reported second quarter net sales of $556 million, an increase of 3.5% from the second quarter last year. 

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid’s same-store sales increased by 1.9% in July, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

During the four-week period ended July 23, comp sales jumped 3.1% on the front end and 1.4% in the pharmacy, including a 151 basis point reduction resulting from introduction of new generic drugs. Prescription counts decreased by 0.4%. Total sales during the four-week period were about $1.92 billion, a 1.6% increase over July 2010.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- A Wednesday report by Bloomberg said that Wal-Mart Stores has named Morten Knudsen as CFO for Asia, as the retailer recasts its leadership roles in the region amidst top-heavy turnover.

Knudsen, who was previously VP for corporate finance in Asia for Danone, takes the financial chief spot for Wal-Mart Asia effective Sept. 1.

Since May, Walmart has lost Japanese chief Toru Noda and three of its top executives in China, including the CFO and COO Roland Lawrence and Rob Cissell, respectively.

Austin -- Whole Foods Market reported Wednesday a profit jump of 35% to $88.5 million, compared with $65.7 million in the year-earlier period.

Revenue rose 11% to $2.4 billion, meeting Wall Street expectations, and same-store sales rose 8.4%.