News

ABILENE, Kan. — Broad-line retailer Duckwall-ALCO Stores increased sales and returned to profit in the third-quarter as the company continued to experience top-line growth across multiple categories. The company reported that net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 increased 3.6% to $109.8 million, compared with the third quarter of fiscal 2011. Same-store sales, excluding fuel center sales, increased 2.7%. 

NEW YORK — Saks Fifth Avenue has taken its brand beyond fashion retail with the launch of its redesigned SaksPOV website. Designed to offer a point of view from Fifth Avenue, the company said, the new site will feature multimedia content, designer features, Saks brand coverage and compelling lifestyle pieces. SaksPOV launched initially in December 2010.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings announced that it will help make customers' "green" go further this Green Monday (Dec. 12) at Sears.com and Kmart.com.

Shoppers can take advantage of up to 70% off across popular categories available on Sears.com and Kmart.com on more than 500 deals that are as good as Cyber Monday prices, the company reported.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets recently expanded its loyalty card program with a gold preferred customer offering that customizes offers for regular shoppers who spend at least $3,500 in a calendar year.

"Once a calendar year Weis will send out gold cards to qualifying customers based on their shopping habits the previous year," the grocer stated on a website explaining the deal. "The gold card will have an expiration date printed on it, and if you qualify again the next year you’ll automatically be sent a new card."

ST. LOUIS — Joe McClanathan, president and CEO of the Energizer household products division, will retire in the first half of 2012, Energizer Holdings announced Friday. He will be succeeded by Alan Hoskins, VP Asia-Pacific, Africa and Middle East.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys“R”Us' focus on the upcoming holiday shopping season was reflected in its third quarter results, which included a sales decrease. The company reported that net sales for the quarter were $2.7 billion, compared to $2.72 billion in the prior year. The company said it saw continued strength in learning and core toys, while the video game category remains a challenge.

Comparable store net sales decreased by 2.2% in the domestic segment and 3.9% in the international segment. 

Atlanta -- The SpendTrend analysis released Friday by First Data Corp., which tracks same-store consumer spending by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT cards and checks at U.S. merchant locations, found that overall year-over-year dollar volume growth was up 7.3% in November 2011, down from October’s 9.4% growth.

November 2011 had tough comparables as November 2010 was a particularly strong month, with dollar volume growth up 8.1%, according to First Data. November 2011 transaction growth was 6.1%. 

New York City -- The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary index of consumer sentiment showed Friday that confidence among U.S. consumers rose more than forecast in December as Americans’ outlooks improved. 

The index rose to 67.7, a six-month high, from 64.1 at the end of November. The median estimate of 73 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News called for a reading of 65.8. The gauge averaged 89 in the five years leading up to the recession that began in December 2007 and ended in June 2009. 

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us reported Friday an operating loss of $75 million for the quarter ended Oct. 29, compared with a loss of $62 million in the year-ago period. Adjusted EBITDA was $36 million, compared with $49 million in the prior year.

Sales dipped to $2.7 billion from $2.72 billion a year earlier, and same-store sales fell 2.2% domestically and 3.9% internationally.

New York City -- Brixmor Property Group announced two retailers will join Arapahoe Crossings, located Aurora, Colo., a suburb of Denver.  

Omaha-based department store retailer Gordmans is slated to open during fall 2012 with a 55,000-sq.-ft. store.  

In early 2012, Chuck and Don’s Pet Food Outlet will open a 7,000-sq.-ft. store adjacent to King Soopers grocery store.