FINANCE

Bolstered by positive consumer indicators, retail CFOs are largely optimistic for 2017. But competition and consolidation could cloud their outlook.    That’s according to BDO USA’s 11th annual Retail Compass Survey of CFOs, in which respondents predict a 4.9% bump in total sales this year, up from 3.4% in 2016. The bullish predictions are echoed by online sales projections, with a 10.7% increase expected for the year ahead — the highest in survey history.   

Destination XL Group is slowing store growth to invest in e-commerce and enhanced marketing that includes a return to television advertising.   The retailer of big and tall men’s clothing on Monday reported better-than-expected net income of $1.8 million for the quarter, after reporting a loss of $1.4 million in the year-ago period.   Total sales for the quarter were reported as $122.6 million, down slightly from $124.0 million in the prior-year quarter. Same-store sales fell 2.4%.  

Bankrupt Hhgregg Inc.’s proposed purchase by an anonymous buyer has collapsed.   

A strong performance in Asia helped Tiffany & Co. beat fourth quarter expectations even as sales as its U.S. stores sagged.   The luxury jeweler reported net income of $157.8 million, or $1.26 per share, for the quarter ended Jan. 31, compared with $163.2 million, or $1.28 per share, in the year-ago period. Adjusted for asset impairment costs, per-share earnings were $1.45, beating the per-share earnings of $1.37 that industry analysts had expected.  

Dollar General on Thursday reported better-than-expected fourth quarter sales and earnings and said it planned to raise compensation and increase training for store managers.   The discounter also said it plans to open approximately 1,000 stores and remodel or relocate 900 existing stores in fiscal 2017.   

Party City Holdco Inc. is increasing its corporate-owned store count.   The company has entered into an agreement to acquire a master franchise group representing 18 franchise stores in North Carolina and South Carolina for a purchase price of $31 million.   Prior to the acquisition, the company’s retail operations included 765 company-owned Party City stores and 164 franchise stores.  

After solid start to the year, retail is now back in softer growth territory. While the 2.1% rate of overall expansion is not disastrous, it is much lower than the past few quarters and is largely the result of higher gas prices which buoyed sales at gas stations by 15.8%. The pure retail number is more concerning, with the 0.8% increase being the slowest growth recorded since February 2013.  

Changes are coming to Christopher & Banks Corp.   On the heels of a 7.8% decrease in its fourth quarter sales, the women’s apparel retailer is launching a new merchandising strategy  that include a bigger focus on fashion over core items.   Christopher & Banks also will review styles on a weekly basis to identify emerging trends and mark down slower-moving products, said interim president and CEO Joel Waller on the company’s quarterly call with analysts.