News

PLANO, Texas -- JCPenney's big-and-tall concept will debut next month, and from the company's description, it seems as much a sports bar as it is a clothing store -- without beers on tap. The 5,000 sq.-ft. Foundry Big & Tall Supply Co. stores will feature flat screen TVs tuned to sports, an oversized poker table and comfortable seating, where, according to the company "[customers] can relax, enjoy themselves and shop some of the biggest names in menswear --  in sizes that fit. " 

Sidney, Neb. -- Cabela's said Thursday that stronger revenue helped its fiscal first-quarter profit more than double from results weighed down by a hefty charge a year ago.

The reported net income of $17.8 million in the three months ended April 2, up from $8.1 million a year earlier.

The year-ago period included an $11.9 million charge related to a 2009 FDIC compliance examination.

Revenue increased 5% to $586.7 million, from $559.6 million. Same-store sales rose 8.9%.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie Stores announced that, with the sale of its Deep South beverage manufacturing facility, it has completed its program to sell all non-core manufacturing operations.

Polar Beverages of Worcester, Mass., will own the Fitzgerald, Ga.-base facility effective April 29. 

Phoenix -- JDA Software Group and Gladson announced a strategic alliance to provide combined services to their joint customers in the consumer packaged goods industry.

Naperville, Ill. -- OfficeMax said Thursday that its net income dropped 53% in the first quarter.

Net income fell to $11.9 million from $25.4 million. Revenue fell 2.8% to $1.86 billion, though it beat analysts' estimates

The company blamed bad weather, store discounts and "an unfavorable product sales mix shift" in the technology department. Revenue from direct sales to business customers fell more steeply than revenue in stores.

Mike Duke presented at the Barclay’s conference Tuesday, and, as we predicted in last week’s WNN, he did not speak about first-quarter sales, which the company will report on May 17. Instead Duke focused on such broad goals as growth, leverage, but offered little detail on how the company plans to achieve them.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. -- Kohl's announced that it will be the exclusive U.S. provider and marketer of VF Corp.'s Rock & Republic brand.  Beginning spring 2012, Rock & Republic apparel, accessories and all other merchandise will be available in Kohl’s stores nationwide and www.Kohls.com.

Washington, D.C. -- Commercial real estate information company CoStar Group has signed a definitive agreement to acquire LoopNet, the leading online commercial real estate marketplace.

“CoStar revolutionized how the industry researches commercial real estate and LoopNet revolutionized the way the industry markets commercial real estate," said Andrew C. Florance, president and CEO, CoStar. "We expect the combination of our companies to give the $11 trillion commercial real estate market the full benefit of the Internet."