News

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Three Wal-Mart Stores executives will share insights at two key retail conferences on March 7.

New York City -- Liz Claiborne Inc. swung to a fourth-quarter profit, buoyed by gains from sales of certain brands and trademarks, including the sale of its namesake brand to J.C. Penney. But the company's total revenue came in well below expectations, hurt by the faltering performance of its Juicy Couture division.

Topeka, Kan. -- Footwear seller Collective Brands Inc. said that its fourth-quarter loss widened dramatically from the year before as higher costs cut into profit margins. But the loss was far narrower than Wall Street expected, while revenue was much higher.

The company, which operates the Payless ShoeSource chain, said its net loss during the quarter ended Jan. 28 was $41.6 million, up from a loss of $10.1 million in the year-ago period. Revenue rose to $815.9 million from $773.8 million. Same-store sales increased 1.7%, also better than expected.

Eden Prairie, Minn. -- Supervalu announced the launch of a custom-built mobile application designed to give customers the tools they need to be efficient while shopping our stores.

New York City -- Costco Wholesale Corp. posted a bigger-than-expected rise in quarterly profit on Wednesday. Rising gasoline prices had a positive impact on sales at Costco, which prices its fuel below nearby stations.

Net income in the quarter ended Feb. 12 rose 13% to $394 million, from $348 million a year earlier.

Sales rose 10% to $22.51 billion. Same-store sales rose 8%, better than analysts had expected. 

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples Inc. beat Wall Street estimates as its fiscal fourth-quarter net income rose 3.2% to $283.6 million. Weakness in Europe and Australia was offset by the company’s strongest North American retail sales growth in more than a year.

Total company sales rose 0.7% to $6.46 billion, while analysts expected about $6.45 billion. Sales at Staples’ North American delivery segment and domestic retail segment, which together account for about 80% of the company's revenue, rose 2% to $5.16 billion.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot swung to profitability during the fourth quarter, despite a 5% comp sales decline at North American retail stores where the retailer shunned promotional activity during the holidays.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.— Sears quietly added all nine of its Great Indoors stores to the list of store closings on Feb. 23.

Store managers were informed last week, a Sears spokeswoman confirmed, but no exact date has been given for the closings.

The upscale remodeling and home décor stores began opening in 1998, long before the Sears and Kmart merger. At one point, Sears operated 20 of the units, but they were never a big moneymaker for the company.

BOSTON — A survey sponsored by in-store commerce provider AisleBuyer found that nearly 40% of smartphone-carrying shoppers have abandoned their in-store purchases because of long lines, while 21% will abandon their purchases if there are no registers open.

NEW YORK — After more than a year since it first filed Chapter 11, A&P has won approval to exit bankruptcy. The company announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in White Plains, N.Y., has approved its reorganization plan, which includes $490 million in debt and equity financing from Ron Burkle's Yucaipa Cos.