News

PITTSBURGH — Forty new Dick’s Sporting Good stores are slated to open this year as the company remains undaunted by a weak fourth-quarter same-store sales performance at U.S. stores brought on by warmer than normal weather.

Paint manufacturer Valspar has announced that John Wardzel has joined the company as senior VP global operations, reporting to Steven Erdahl, EVP. In this role, Wardzel will provide executive leadership of Valspar’s global operations and becomes an officer of the company.

Ankeny, Iowa -- Casey's General Stores Inc. reported Monday that profit for the third quarter rose 30% to $16.7 million, from $12.9 million a year earlier. Casey's revenue rose from $1.37 billion to $1.58 billion.

Both figures missed Wall Street estimates.

Pittsburgh -- Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. reported Tuesday that profit for the fourth quarter rose 27% to $111.1 million, compared with $87.5 million in the year-ago period. Revenue increased 6% to $1.61 billion from $1.52 billion, matching Wall Street expectations. Same-store sales inched up 0.1%.

By banner, Golf Galaxy posted a 9% increase in same-store sales for the quarter, but namesake stores slipped 2.5%.

SEATTLE — Recreational Equipment Inc. will make its Florida debut in the spring of 2013 with the opening a a store in Jacksonville, Fla. The company also announced that it will open its eighth store in Texas in the city of San Antonio in the fall of 2012.

The company's first Florida store in Jacksonville will occupy nearly 23,400 sq. ft. and will be located at The Markets at Town Center. The San Antonio location will occupy 27,500 sq. ft. 

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway is projecting that 2012 will be a good year for the retailer.

The company said ahead of an investor conference held Tuesday that it forecasts earnings per share will be in the range of $1.90 to $2.10 per diluted share. This compared with net income of $1.49 per diluted share in fiscal 2011, due to a tax charge 29 cents per diluted share. Excluding the charge, diluted earnings per share would have been $1.78 in fiscal 2011.

By Suzy Stewart, DHR International

It appears that 2010 was a real turning point for retailers going to the outside to find experienced and talented omnichannel executives.

Omaha, Neb. -- Nash Finch Co. announced Monday that it will acquire Omaha, Neb., supermarket chain Bag ‘N Save, which will grow its retail grocery store portfolio by about 25%.

Primarily a food wholesaler, Nash Finch will absorb 11 stores in Omaha and one on York, Neb., through the acquisition. Terms have not been disclosed.