Stage Stores Inc. Fiscal Earnings

Stage Stores Inc. recently reported fiscal 2010 earnings that rose 32% from 2009. Stage Stores has a unique niche in the retail industry as it sells moderately priced merchandise in small and mid-size towns in 39 states. The company operates 784 stores under the names of Bealls, Goody's, Palais Royal, Peebles and Stage. Total sales rose 5.1% in the fourth quarter and gross profit improved by 130 basis points. The company opened 33 new stores, of which 30 were opened under the Goody's brand. It also rebranded 26 stores as Goody's stores during the year. 

Fav Stocks

Hastings Q4 Profit Falls

Hastings Entertainment Inc. reported fourth-quarter (ended Jan. 31) profit of $3.8 million, down 58% from profit of $9 million during the previous-year period. For the fiscal year, profit fell more than 75% to $1.7 million, compared with $6.9 million during the previous year. Amarillo, Texas-based Hastings, which operates 146 entertainment retail stores in the Southwest, attributed the profit declines largely to changes in how it accounts for gift card "breakage," in addition to a separate insurance claim proceed.

Home Media Magazine

Wegmans, Whole Foods Among 'World's Most Ethical Companies'

Wegmans Food Markets Inc. and Whole Foods Market have again been chosen by the Ethisphere Institute as two of the 2011 World's Most Ethical Companies (WME). The annual list spotlights businesses who implement practices and initiatives that are instrumental to their success, help their surrounding communities, and encourage others within the industry to adopt higher ethical standards.

Progressive Grocer

Stater to Acquire Southern California Albertsons Stores

Stater Bros. said it has entered into an agreement to purchase two Southern California Albertsons stores from Supervalu - one in Lake Elsinore, the other in Hesperia. The deals include land, building and fixtures at both locations. Stater said it expects to take possession of the stores in mid-May, after which each will undergo a complete remodel and reopen in early spring 2012. 

Supermarket News

Walmart to Expand Waste Reduction Plans

Walmart has revealed plans to expand a trial waste reduction programme, after the success of a pilot scheme in California. Through the programme, Walmart said it managed to eliminate more than 80% of the waste that would normally go to landfills, which it noted easily exceeded both the average reduction for California (65%) and the US (45%). The group will now roll out the programme to all its Walmart and Sam's Club outlets, as well as its distribution centres across the US.

Kam City

Co-operative Crowned Most Responsible Retailer for Fourth Year Running

The Co-operative Group has been crowned Responsible Retailer of the Year at the Oracle Retail Week Awards 2011. It is the fourth year running that the consumer-owned retailer has taken the title, but the judges said The Co-operative was a clear winner and still "streets ahead" in the responsible retailing stakes. The Co-operative, which raised the bar further in February with the launch of its Ethical Operating Plan, beat Asda, B&Q, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco to take the "green" award.

Kam City

QKL Stores Inc. Opens New Supermarket With More to Come

The Company's 49th store, situated in Shuangcheng City, Heilongjiang Province, was opened on March 20th, 2011. Shuangcheng City, with a population of approximately 820,000 residents, is well known for its food industry, represented by Nestle, Wahaha, and Huiyuan factories among others. Mr. Zhuangyi Wang, Chairman and CEO, said, "We are excited to bring our concept of offering high quality, fresh and nutritious food at affordable prices to customers in Shuangcheng City. This is our first store in this city, where we plan on opening another two stores this year."

PR Newswire