News

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart reported first-quarter earnings that were above the company's guidance, reflecting stability and strength in global operations, according to president and CEO, Mike Duke.

Walmart's net income was $3.4 billion, or 98 cents per diluted share, compared with net income of $3.3 billion, or 87 cents per diluted share. 

Atlanta-based Home Depot reported first quarter earnings of $812 million, up 12% from earnings of $725 million in the first quarter last year.

Sales declined 0.2% to $16.8 billion, while comparable store sales were negative 0.6%. Comp-store sales for stores in the United States were negative 0.7%.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — DSW has named Todd Cordell as SVP human resources.  Cordell will be responsible for all human resources activities in support of DSW Stores, DSW.com, and the DSW leased business division.  

"Todd brings a wealth of experience and expertise in all areas of the Human Resources function, most particularly Organizational Development," said Michael MacDonald, CEO of DSW Inc.  "I am confident Todd will help DSW attract, develop and retain top talent in support of our key strategic growth initiatives."

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Winn-Dixie president, chairman and CEO Peter Lynch expressed confidence in the grocer as it heads into its fourth quarter, maintaining that the grocer's estimated adjusted EBITDA will come in at the lower end of the $100 million to $130 million range for fiscal 2011, a 52-week period ending June 29, in light of relatively flat third-quarter results.

PITTSBURGH — Dick's Sporting Goods reported consolidated net income for the first quarter ended April 30 of $37.5 million, or 30 cents per diluted share, exceeding the company's earnings expectations provided on March 8 of 26 cents to 28 cents per diluted share.  For the first quarter ended May 1, 2010, the company reported consolidated net income of $26.2 million, or 22 cents per diluted share.

CHICAGO — True Value has announced that a new chief information officer has joined the company. Rosaelee Hermens will serve as True Value’s new CIO, in addition to being an officer of the company, effective last Monday, May 9.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Supermarket chain Publix has confirmed the termination of the lease arrangements with The Little Clinic within select store locations in Florida and Georgia.

The move marks the end of Publix’s five-year partnership with The Little Clinic, which is part of Solera Capital’s portfolio. Solera Capital had acquired The Little Clinic’s predecessor in 2005.

NEW YORK — Saks Inc. announced reported net income of $28.4 million, or 16 cents per diluted share, for the first quarter. For the prior year first quarter, the company recorded net income of $18.8 million, or 11 cents per diluted share. 

Stephen Sadove, chairman and CEO, noted, "I am very pleased with our first quarter results. Our improved year-over-year performance was driven by a 10.2% comparable-store sales increase and continued gross margin rate improvement."

Framingham, Mass. -- TJX Cos. reported Tuesday that net income for the first quarter plummeted 20% on the closing of its A.J. Wright stores, but strong sales buoyed the retailer’s full-year forecasts.

TJX earned $266 million in the quarter ended April 30, compared with $331.4 million in the year-ago period. Revenue increased 4% to $5.22 billion, surpassing Wall Street's estimate of $5.14 billion.

Same-store sales increased 2%.

TJX raised the low end of forecast for full-year adjusted earnings.
 

Atlanta -- Home Depot reported Tuesday that profit rose 12% in the first quarter, beating Wall Street estimates and causing the retailer to boost its outlook for the full year.

Home Depot earned $812 million in the quarter ended May 1, compared with $725 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue, however, slipped 0.2% to $16.82 billion on a weaker spring selling season, missing analysts’ expectations of $17.06 billion.

Same-store sales dipped 0.6%, with U.S. stores down 0.7%.