Content about Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

June 6, 2013

Ann Inc., which runs the Ann Taylor and Loft, reported that its fiscal first-quarter net income dropped 27%, as unseasonably cold weather held back sales of spring and summer clothing and led to discounts.

New York -- Ann Inc., which runs the Ann Taylor and Loft,  reported that its fiscal first-quarter net income dropped 27%, as unseasonably cold weather held back sales of spring and summer clothing and led to discounts. The retailer also cut its revenue outlook for the year.

May 28, 2013

Hibbett sports reported a slight dip in net income during first quarter fiscal 2013, although same-store sales and net sales showed some improvement.

Birmingham, Ala. – Hibbett sports reported a slight dip in net income during first quarter fiscal 2013, although same-store sales and net sales showed some improvement. Net income for the quarter totaled $26.2 million, down slightly from $26.4 million a year earlier. Same-store sales slightly rose 0.8%, while net sales increased 3% from $232.9 million to $240 million. Net income fell short of Wall Street estimates.

May 17, 2013

Nordstrom Inc. reported its first quarter net income fell a greater-than-expected 3%, hurt by weak demand for spring merchandise and softer performance in the Northeast and Midwest.

Seattle -- Nordstrom Inc. reported its first quarter net income fell a greater-than-expected 3%, hurt by weak demand for spring merchandise and softer performance in the Northeast and Midwest. The company also lowered its full-year sales forecast.

The results were a rare miss for the upscale department store chain whose shoppers have proved resilient throughout the uncertain economy.

November 7, 2012

Macy’s reported a better-than-expected 4.3% increase in third-quarter net income, helped by sales gains, and slightly raised its full-year profit outlook.

Cincinnati – Macy’s on Wednesday reported a better-than-expected 4.3% increase in third-quarter net income, helped by sales gains, and slightly raised its full-year profit outlook.  

Macy’s also announced that it will discontinue reporting monthly sales, beginning in fiscal 2013. Sales will continue to be reported quarterly, along with earnings and cash flow.

January 12, 2012

Fast Retailing Co., operator of the Uniqlo apparel chain, reported a net profit of $405.3 million for the first quarter, a 37% rise that the company said was due in large part to a change in accounting methods.

Tokyo -- Fast Retailing Co., operator of the Uniqlo apparel chain, reported Thursday a net profit of $405.3 million for the first quarter, a 37% rise that the company said was due in large part to a change in accounting methods. Operating profit dipped 2.8%.

Sales gained 8.6% overall for the quarter, but the company has trimmed its full-year outlook as sales in its home market remained sluggish.

December 1, 2011

Kroger Co. raised its full-year forecast and also projected earnings growth for its next fiscal year that was ahead of long-term goals even as its profit slipped 2% in the third quarter.

Cincinnati -- Kroger Co. on Thursday raised its full-year forecast and also projected earnings growth for its next fiscal year that was ahead of long-term goals even as its profit slipped 2% in the third quarter.

The chain reported profit of $195.9 million profit for the quarter ended Nov. 5, down from $202.2 million a year earlier. Still, its results topped Wall Street expectations.

November 18, 2011

Kirkland’s net profit in its fiscal third quarter as operating expenses and cost of sales rose, and same-store sales declined. But its results still beat Wall Street's expectations.

Nashville, Tenn. -- Kirkland’s net profit in its fiscal third quarter as operating expenses and cost of sales rose, and same-store sales declined. But its results still beat Wall Street's expectations. The company earned $1.2 million, compared with $2.3 million a year earlier.

Operating expenses rose 8% to $31.3 million, while the company's cost of sales rose 7% to $60.9 million.

Sales rose 5% to $97.1 million, from $92.7 million. Same-store sales were down 3.6%.
 

October 5, 2011

Research results released by American Express found that more than a third (38%) of small business owners believe that the U.S. is still in the throes of a recession.

New York City -- Research results released Tuesday by American Express found that more than a third (38%) of small business owners believe that the U.S. is still in the throes of a recession.

According to the American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor, a semi-annual survey in its 10th year, concerns about the economy are weighing heavily on entrepreneurs. Twenty-seven percent say they do not plan to grow in the next six months (up from 21% in the spring) and just 77% describe themselves as glass-half-full optimists (down from 85% a year ago).

September 13, 2011

Neiman Marcus Group reported a fiscal fourth-quarter loss on debt-related expense and slightly lower margins, even as its revenue rose 11%.

Dallas -- Neiman Marcus Group reported a fiscal fourth-quarter loss on debt-related expense and slightly lower margins, even as its revenue rose 11%.

For the quarter ended July 30, Neiman Marcus lost $61.4 million, compared with a year-earlier loss of $32.8 million. Excluding a $42.7 million after-tax loss on debt extinguishment, the adjusted loss was $18.7 million. Gross margin narrowed to 30.5% from 30.9%.

June 17, 2011

Kroger Co. reported double-digit jumps in first-quarter revenue and net income, as the chain's fuel stations and loyalty discounts helped draw more frequent shoppers.

New York City -- Kroger Co. reported double-digit jumps in first-quarter revenue and net income, as the chain's fuel stations and loyalty discounts helped draw more frequent shoppers.

Kroger said net income rose to $432.3 million, up nearly 16% from $373.3 million, or 58 cents per share, a year ago. Revenue rose 11% to $27.5 billion. Same-sales rose 4.6%, excluding fuel sales.

Kroger has steadily expanded its gas business, now with more than 1,000 store gas stations at its nearly 2,500 stores.
 

June 2, 2011

Charming Shoppes said Thursday that its first-quarter net income more than quintupled, but its revenue was flat and the profit rise was driven largely by cost cutting.

Bensalem, Pa. -- Charming Shoppes said Thursday that its first-quarter net income more than quintupled, but its revenue was flat and the profit rise was driven largely by cost cutting.

The CEO sounded a cautious tone for the future, saying the company needs to reignite store traffic and cope with rising cotton costs.

The company, which operates Lane Bryant, Catherines and Fashion Bug stores, said its net income for February through April was $26 million, up from $3.9 million in the same period last year.

May 26, 2011

Guess Inc. beat first-quarter revenue expectations, even though it also reported a 15% decline in net income. The company said net income fell to $42.7 million in the quarter ended April 30, compared with $50.3 million in the year-ago period.

Los Angeles — Guess Inc. beat first-quarter revenue expectations, even though it also reported a 15% decline in net income. The company said net income fell to $42.7 million in the quarter ended April 30, compared with $50.3 million in the year-ago period.

Total revenue increased 9.8% to $592.2 million, beating analysts' predictions of $567.7 million. Strength in Asia, where revenue rose 24%, drove the increase. Revenue in Europe also helped, rising 12%. Revenue in North America was the weakest, up 5%.

Same-store sales fell 3.1% in U.S. dollars.

April 13, 2011

By Dwayne Shackelford, principal, Huntley, Mullaney, Spargo & Sullivan, Inc.

By Dwayne Shackelford, dshackelford@hmsinc.net

Proposed new lease accounting rule changes will have a significant impact on many retail and restaurant companies. The good news is that rent will no longer appear on the income statement; the bad news is that it will be replaced by amortization and interest charges, which will generally be larger in the first years of a lease and lower in the latter years.

March 15, 2011

Williams-Sonoma announced that net revenues for fourth quarter 2010 increased 9.7% to $1.195 billion versus $1.09 billion in fourth quarter 2010, including Internet net revenue growth of 27.2% and a comparable-store sales increase of 5.2%.

San Francisco -- Williams-Sonoma announced that net revenues for fourth quarter 2010 increased 9.7% to $1.195 billion versus $1.09 billion in fourth quarter 2010, including Internet net revenue growth of 27.2% and a comparable-store sales increase of 5.2%.

Diluted earnings per share on a GAAP basis were $1.05 for the quarter, compared with 81 cents for the same period last year.

March 11, 2011

Kirkland's Inc. said Thursday that its fourth-quarter profit fell about 35% as its sales softened.

Nashville, Tenn. — Kirkland's Inc. said Thursday that its fourth-quarter profit fell about 35% as its sales softened.

The company reported net income of $14.4 million for the 13 weeks that ended Jan. 29, compared with $22.1 million a year earlier.

The results included an $800,000 income tax benefit related to prior years' taxes.

Quarterly net sales fell to $139.6 million, from $142.8 million in the prior-year period. Same-store sales were down 7.95%.

February 24, 2011

Kohl's Corp. reported Thursday that its fourth quarter net earnings rose 14% and the board authorized the first dividend in the company's history.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl's Corp. reported Thursday that its fourth quarter net earnings rose 14% and the board authorized the first dividend in the company's history. But the chain said consumers will remain cautious in 2011 and gave a full-year earnings forecast below Wall Street’s expectations.

Kohl’s said that income the quarter ended Jan. 29 increased to $493 million from $431 million a year earlier, slightly ahead of predictions. Revenue rose 6% to $6.04 billion from $5.68 billion, in line with projections.

February 9, 2011

Depreciation is a commonly misunderstood area of accounting for property owners. In particular, many shopping center owners fail to approach it in the most advantageous way.

Cost segregation is a bargain tax strategy for shopping center owners

By Eli Loebenberg, ELoebenberg@madisonspecs.com

August 25, 2010

Discount merchant Fred's said Thursday it recorded a 17% jump in second-quarter net income to...

August 18, 2010

Staples reported Thursday that its net income for the quarter ended July 31 rose 40%...

June 24, 2010

The Finish Line said Thursday it recorded a profit in its fiscal first quarter as...

June 16, 2010

Pier 1 Imports reported on Thursday that revenue and same-store sales rose in the first...

May 16, 2010

QKL Stores' first-quarter net income nearly tripled, helped by higher revenue....

May 11, 2010

Arden Group, parent company of supermarket operator Gelson's Markets, said Wednesday that its first-quarter net...

May 6, 2010

Haverty Furniture Cos. swung to a profit in the first quarter, helped by rising sales...

May 5, 2010

Cabela's on Tuesday reported a 57% increase in first-quarter net income, helped by soaring revenue...