News

Worse than expected second quarter sales results at Dick’s Sporting Goods sparked new consumer spending concerns and prompted the company to lower its full year profit forecast.

Dicks said sales for the quarter ended August 3, increased 6.6% to $1.5 billion, however same store sales fell 0.4%, versus a planned 2% to 3% increase, when adjusted for a 53rd week in 2012. Profits for the period totaled $84.2 million, or 67 cents a share, compared to $53.7 million, or 43 cents a share.

PITTSBURGH — Dick's Sporting Goods reported a 57% increase in second-quarter net income, which was chiefly related to a big charge last year.

For the period ended Aug. 3, the retailer earned $84.2 million, up from $53.7 million in the prior-year period when it recorded a $32.4 million impairment charge tied to an investment in JJB Sports. Revenue rose 6% to $1.53 billion, short of analyst projections of $1.57 billion. Same-store sales edged down 0.4%.

Chairman and CEO Edward Stack said bad weather reduced traffic and hurt sales.

With the addition of an Android app, mobile workforce leader Gigwalk expects its on-demand workforce to soon exceed 600,000.

The two-year-old San Francisco-based technology company already has 325,000 workers, known as Gigwalkers, using its app on iPhones to perform a variety of mobile research and store audit functions. The addition of an app for Android phones is expected to more than double the number of Gigwalkers because Android phones are more prevalent in the market.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — Pepsi is teaming up with MTV to support a performance by pop star Katy Perry at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, from an undisclosed location in Brooklyn Aug. 25. 

Pepsi will also hold a tweet-to-unlock and social voting program where fans can access information and audio samples of two songs from Perry's upcoming album, Prism, available Oct. 22. Participants who tweet #KATYNOW will unlock clues around two of the album's tracks, including the song titles and select lyrics. 

DALLAS — Closeout retailer Tuesday Morning has named Michael Rouleau as the company’s CEO. Rouleau, who was appointed interim chief executive in March 2013, will also continue to serve on the company's board of directors, which he joined November 2012.

NEW YORK — Barnes & Noble reported a worse-than-expected net loss of $87 million for the first quarter, compared to a loss of $39.8 million in the year-ago period. The bookseller’s troubles mounted with the news that its founder, chairman and largest shareholder, Leonard Riggio, was calling off his offer to buy the company’s retail business.

DALLAS — Although J.C. Penney reported a wider-than-expected loss in the second quarter on a nearly 12% drop in revenue, small signs suggest that interim CEO Myron Ullman may be starting to turn things around.

The quarter was the first entirely under Ullman’s watch. Ullman returned to the retailer in April to undo the strategy put in place by Ron Johnson, who planned to transform J.C. Penney stores into a series of branded in-store shops.

DALLAS — Closeout retailer Tuesday Morning announced the appointment of Michael Rouleau to CEO, effective immediately. Rouleau, who was appointed interim chief executive in March 2013, will also continue to serve on the company's board of directors, which he joined in November 2012.