News

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The Fresh Market Inc. said Wednesday that its second-quarter net income surged 27%. The company also lifted its profit outlook for the year.

For the quarter ended July 29, Fresh Market earned $13.3 million, up from $10.5 million in the same period last year.

Revenue rose 21% to $313 million as the number of shopper purchases rose 5% and the average amount spent rose 3%. Same-store sales rose 8%.

NEW YORK — U.K. retailer John Lewis has become the first company outside of the United States to partner with Barnes & Noble for the sale of Nook devices.

John Lewis will offer Nook products at  37 U.K. stores and on www.johnlewis.com. As previously disclosed, Barnes & Noble will also offer Nook devices and content to U.K. customers this autumn through its own online storefront, www.nook.co.uk.

New York -- Private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice on Tuesday announced a definitive agreement to acquire the 300-store David’s Bridal in a deal that values the bridal dress retailer at $1.05 billion.
 
Leonard Green & Partners will remain a minority partner. CD&R operating partner Paul Pressler, former CEO of Gap Inc. and former senior Disney executive, will assume the role of chairman at the close of the transaction, expected in the fourth quarter.
  

GRAPEVINE, Texas and ROSEVILLE, Calif. — GameStop has announced that customers can purchase digital, web-access Prima e-guides at GameStop retail locations. The new program, “Buy In-Store, Redeem Online,” launches with an exclusive Madden NFL 13 tournament bundle. This exclusive GameStop eGuide bundle includes two tournament-level eGuides (offense and defense). Regularly priced at $39.99, GameStop customers can get the bundle for only $19.99.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday announced a new application built into Facebook that allows desktop computer users to print their favorite photos, complete with likes and comments, at any Walgreens location nationwide as part of a feature called PrintWorthy.

NEW YORK — Ralph Lauren has named Christopher Peterson as SVP and CFO. Peterson will assume his new role effective Sept. 24, and his areas of responsibility will include the company’s global finance and information technology organizations. He will report to Roger Farah, president and COO.

St. Louis, Mo. -- Brown Shoe Co Inc. on Tuesday  posted a smaller second-quarter loss, helped by cost-cutting and higher sales at its Famous Footwear stores. The retailer also raised the lower end of its full-year profit outlook.

Brown Shoe’s quarterly loss narrowed to $2.5 million, compared with a loss of $4.6 million a year earlier.

Revenue decreased  to $599.3 million. Same-store sales rose 3.9%.
 

DALLAS — Transplace, a leading provider of transportation management services and logistics technology, announced that Great Lakes Brewing Company (GLBC) has selected the third party logistics (3PL) provider to handle its North American transportation management activities.