News

Surging gas prices this spring could jeopardize Walmart’s tenuous same-store sales recovery as consumers have less disposable income and opt to shop at outlets closer to home. At least that was how the situation played out in the recent past when gas prices surged above $4. Are things different now?

Philadelphia -- Urban Outfitters said Wednesday that CFO Eric Artz is leaving the company, and will be replaced by current chief accounting officer Frank Conforti, effective April 3.

No reason has been given for Artz’s departure, other than he plans to return to the west coast.

Urban Outfitters operates under the Anthropologie, BHLDN, Free People, Terrain and Urban Outfitters brands.

WAYNE, N.J. — The decision to open fewer Express stores during the 2011 holiday selling season, along with a decline in comparable-store sales both in the United States and internationally, contributed to Toys“R”Us's fourth-quarter net sales decline of $47 million to $5.9 billion. On a positive note, the company's new ventures in Greater China and Southeast Asia have offset the sales decline.

Evansville, Ind. -- Shoe Carnival reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Jan. 28 dipped to $3.3 million, from $4.4 million. Sales edged up 1.1% to $181.9 million in the quarter, and same-store sales dropped 3%.

President and CEO Mark Lemond told investors that heavy promotional activities to rid the chain of cold-weather footwear after an unseasonably warm winter had a negative impact on margins.

Grapevine, Texas -- Video-game retailer GameStop Corp. reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended Jan. 28 dropped 27% to $174.7 million, from $237.8 million in the year-ago period. Adjusted profit, however, matched predictions, as results included $64.6 million in asset impairment and restructuring charges.

Revenue fell 3.1% to $3.58 billion from $3.69 billion, missing Wall Street’s expected $3.69 billion in revenue. Same-store sales slipped 3.6%.

FORT WORTH, Texas — RadioShack has made an agreement with Malaysian retail group Berjaya Retail Berhad that will expand RadioShack's global footprint across 10 Southeast Asian countries.

Under the long-term agreement, Berjaya Retail (Cayman) Limited as franchise developer is expected to open at least 1,000 franchise locations across the Association of Southeast Asia Nations within the first 10 years. Its subsidiary in Malaysia, Berjaya RS Sdn. Bhd., expects to open its first RadioShack locations later this year in Kuala Lumpur.

SEATTLE — REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.) announced that retail and outdoor industry veteran Eric Artz will join the company as chief financial officer in May. Artz comes to REI from Urban Outfitters.

Chicago -- Claire's Stores reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Jan. 28 rose to $39.5 million, from $21 million in the year-ago period.

Sales edged up 3.1% to $434.9 million, compared with $422 million last year. Same-store sales rose 0.9%, consisting of a 3.4% increase in North America and a 3.6% decrease in Europe.