News

New York -- Bombay Company said Kroger Co. has introduced select Bombay furniture, accessories and gifts at 180 of its stores, Furniture Today reported. 

The merchandise mix includes “mirrors, vases and novelty accents, as well as furniture pieces such as chairs, upholstered pieces, accent tables and iconic Bombay coffee tables," Bombay said in a release. 

By Diarmuid Mallon, [email protected]

New York City -- Ann Inc., the operator of Ann Taylor and Loft stores, posted a 21% increase in its fiscal-first-quarter earnings and raised its full-year sales estimate.

For the quarter ended April 30, Ann reported a profit of $27.3 million, up from $22.62 million in the prior-year quarter.

Sales rose almost 10% to $523.6 million, but margins slipped to 57.3%, against 59% last year. Same-store sales rose 7.8%.
 

New York City -- Foot Locker said on Thursday that its first-quarter profit jumped 76% as sales rose sharply. The retailer, which has benefited from efforts to cut costs and close dozens of poorly performing locations, said it earned $94 million for the quarter that ended April 30.

Sales increased 13% to $1.45 billion, from $1.28 billion a year earlier. Same-store sales rose 12.8%. The results easily beat the average estimates of analysts.

York, Pa. -- Bon-Ton Stores said Thursday that its first-quarter loss grew as it booked hefty debt-related charges and sales declined almost 2%. Management blamed unseasonably cold and wet weather for weak sales of seasonal apparel, which forced the retailer to take markdowns and other adjustments.

The company reported a loss of $36 million for the three months ended April 30, compared with a loss of $23.5 million in the same period last year.

Nashville, Tenn. -- Kirkland's said Friday that its first-quarter net income fell 51% stung by higher expenses, increasing freight costs and competition over price. Its results, however, exceeded Wall Street's expectations.

The company earned $3.2 million for the period ended April 30, down from $6.5 million, a year earlier.

Total operating expenses rose to $29.7 million from $26.7 million.

Oakland, Calif. -- Cost Plus reported a narrower loss of $3.4 million for its first quarter, compared with a net loss of $10.3 million for the same period in 2010.

Revenue increased 6% to $199.7 million, from $188.6 million.
 

New York City -- Liberty Media Corp. has offered to buy Barnes & Noble in a deal valued at about $1 billion, which represents a 20% premium over the bookseller’s market value Thursday. Barnes & Noble said Thursday that the cash offer, which the Wall Street Journal called a “stunner,” is worth $17 a share.

The companies have yet to sign an agreement.

PHOENIX — PetSmart has reported earnings of 61 cents per share, up 33% compared with 46 cents per share in the first quarter of 2010. Net income totaled $71 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared with $56 million in the first quarter of 2010.

Total sales for the first quarter of 2011 increased 6.8% to $1.5 billion. The increase in net sales was partially impacted by $4 million in favorable foreign currency fluctuations, the company reported. Comparable-store sales grew 5%, benefitting from comparable transactions growth of 2.7%. 

ROANOKE, Va. — Advance Auto Parts reported that first quarter earnings per diluted share were $1.35 , which was a 13.4% increase over the first quarter last year. Net income for the quarter was $109.6 million compared with $109.4 million for the same period last year.