News

NEW YORK — Foot Locker Inc. grew its fourth-quarter profit 42% amid higher sales and cost cuts.

The company earned a better-than-expected $81 million in the three months that ended Jan. 28, up from $57 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue increased 8% to $1.5 billion, from $1.39 billion. Same-store sales were up 7.5% in quarter.

During fiscal 2011, Foot Locker opened 70 new stores, relocated or remodeled 182, and closed 127. The chain had 3,369 total stores as of Jan. 28, down from 3,426 at the end of the previous fiscal year.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Genesco has appointed Thurgood Marshall, Jr. to its board of directors. Marshall is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Bingham McCutchen LLP. He also serves on the boards of Corrections Corporation of America, Ethics Resource Center, and the Ford Foundation and as chairman of the board of governors of the United States Postal Service.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Pier 1 Imports is about about its first-quarter prospects after reporting surges in both comps and revenue.

The company said that its total revenue for the fourth quarter, ended Feb. 25, increased a better-than-expected 11.8% to $477 million. Same-store sales rose 10.3%.

The chain said total revenue for the fiscal year ended Feb. 25 climbed 9.8% to $1.53 billion.

CHELMSFORD, Mass. — The Kronos Retail Labor Index released by the company on Thursday showed that retail hiring is on the rise, even as fewer people seek jobs in the retail sector.

The Index jumped to 4.2%, up nearly 7% from last year, indicating a potential recovery in the labor market. The number of applications edged down 1.3% , which is down nearly 6% from its level one year ago, pointing to applicants seeking employment in other growing industries.

By Kyle Priest, [email protected]

Pinch yourself: We really do live in a real world where sometimes you just need to touch stuff.

Columbus, Ohio -- Big Lots’ fourth-quarter net income rose 4% to $114.7 million for the period ended Jan. 28, up from $110.1 million a year earlier. The chain also said it anticipates 90 new store openings in the United States in 2012.

Big Lots’ revenue in the quarter rose 10% to $1.67 billion, from $1.52 billion.

Nashville, Tenn. -- Footwear retailer Genesco Inc. said its fourth-quarter net income from continuing operations rose to $41.5 million from $31.4 million a year ago. Its results easily topped Wall Street expectations.

Revenue in the quarter rose 29% to $723 million. Same-store sales increased 12%. By brand, same-store sales were up 13% at Lids Sports Group and 14% at the Journeys Group. Johnston & Murphy Retail’s sales increased by 8%, and Underground Station decreased by 4%.
 

Fort Worth, Texas -- Pier 1 Imports Inc. said that its total revenue for the fourth quarter, ended Feb. 25, increased a better-than-expected 11.8% to $477 million. Same-store sales rose 10.3%.

The chain said total revenue for the fiscal year ended Feb. 25 climbed 9.8% to $1.53 billion.

The home décor retailer is upbeat about its first-quarter prospects.

New York City -- JDA Software Group announced that Woolworths, South Africa’s leading and most respected retail chain, selected a number of JDA solutions in fourth quarter 2011.

San Jose, Calif. -- VeriFone Systems has acquired Lift Retail Marketing Technology Inc., Atlanta. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Lift Retail developed and markets the Lift Station, a network-connected digital marketing hub that integrates with point-of-sale systems (POS) in the convenience store and petroleum retailing market.