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RETAILER NEWS

Publix’s net earnings for the most recent second quarter were $306.4 million this year versus $264 million in the 2006 period, an increase of 16.1%. Earnings per share were 36 cents for the 2007 second quarter of 2007 versus 31 cents per share a year earlier. Sales were $5.7 billion, a 5.9% increase from last year’s quarter while comparable-store sales increased 4%.

Whole Foods Market net earnings declined in the third quarter to $49.1 million, or 35 cents per share, from $53.9 million, or 37 cents per diluted share on a GAAP basis. On a non-GAAP basis, the diluted earnings per share were flat. The company posted a 14% sales increase and 7% comparable-store sales gain in the latest quarter ended July 1. Total sales reached $1.5 billion and net income was $49.1 million with diluted earnings per share at 35 cents. Identical-store sales increased by 5.8%.

Tesco USA has made a deal with Trade Dimensions, a research service of The Nielsen Co., for access to its TDLinx Channel Database, which Tesco will use to analyze each potential store site for its Fresh & Easy convenience grocery concept. Tesco will get reports on U.S. supermarkets, supercenters and drug stores, among other retailers, which will help it prepare for potential competition for Fresh & Easy.