News

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fred's on Thursday reported sales of $143.5 million for the four weeks ended May 28, up 1%. Comparable-store sales for the month rose 0.2%, compared with an increase of 3.5% in the same period last year.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Pier 1 Imports reported that comparable-store sales for the first quarter ended May 28 increased 10.2% versus last year’s increase of 14.3%. Total sales for the quarter improved to $335 million compared to $306 million in the year-ago quarter. 

The comparable store sales increases for the first quarter were driven by increases in traffic, conversion rate and average ticket, the company reported.

The company said it expects first-quarter earnings per share to be 11 cents to 12 cents.

BENSALEM, Pa. — Charming Shoppes reported that consolidated net sales for the first quarter ended April 30 were $504.4 million, compared with $504.8 million for the three months ended May 1, 2010. Net sales results included a 2% increase in comparable-store sales and an increase in e-commerce sales, offset by the impact of operating 139 (or 7%) fewer stores than in the year-ago period. E-commerce sales increased to $36.6 million in the first quarter, compared with $31.6 million in the year-ago period.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. and WESTBOROUGH, Mass.  — Costco Wholesale and BJ’s Wholesale reported strong sales growth and produced impressive comps even without the benefit of fuel sales.

Costco reported that net sales for the month of May increased 17% to $7.14 billion from $6.09 billion last year. This year’s May results period included sales from the company's Mexico joint venture. If these sales are excluded, Costco’s net sales increase would have been 14%.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples has announced new appointments at its European division. Amee Chande has been named managing director U.K. retail and direct and Andrew Gabriel has been named director technology and services European retail.

Chande will have overall responsibility for Staples retail and delivery businesses in the United Kingdom, a key market for the company. Chande joined Staples in 2009 as SVP strategy, responsible for developing and driving the company’s growth agenda.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Winn-Dixie Stores has announced its creation of a “hurricane preparedness kit” in advance of what is expected to be an extremely active year.

NEW YORK — Macy's has announced a number of initiatives in support of LGBT pride month this June. 

Macy's "Pride and Joy" campaign will feature a multitude of in-store fashion events, commemorative advertising and window displays, pride merchandise in select stores, gift registry booths for couples in key cities, celebrity appearances, as well as sponsorship and employee participation in pride parades across the country.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target reported a 2.8% same-store sales increase for May, falling short of Wall Street's expectation for a 3.5% increase, as consumers remained cautious. The retailer reported that net sales for the four-week period were $4.8 billion, an increase of 3.8%t from $4.6 billion for the four weeks ended May 29, 2010. 

 NEW YORK  — A sluggish economy, cool weather and high prices at the pump tempered retail sales in May, as retailers reported mixed results for the month. Retail Metrics projected an increase of 5.1% for the 25 chains tracked, which would mark the 21st straight monthly gain from September 2009.

Retailers who turned in strong performances in May included Macy’s, with a 7.4% rise in same-store sales when a 5.6% increase was expected. The company lifted its full-year same-stores sales estimate.

WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass. — Shaw’s Supermarkets has announced that its Massachusetts stores have received supermarket recycling program certification from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.