In the quarter ended May 3, the Lowe’s Cos., Inc. generated net earnings of $540 million, or 49 cents per diluted share, versus $527 million, or 43 cents per diluted share, in the year-prior period, the company reported. Comparable store sales for the quarter decreased 0.7% compared with the period a year ago.

For the first quarter ended May 4, Staples, Inc. reported income from continuing operations of $170.4 million, or 26 cents per diluted share, versus $192.9 million, or 28 cents per diluted share, in the 2012 period. Total company sales were $5.8 billion, a decrease of 3% compared to the 2012 first quarter, Staples stated.

Kohl’s Department Stores has announced the appointment of Michelle Gass to the newly created position of chief customer officer. She reports to Kohl’s chairman, president and CEO, Kevin Mansell, the retailer stated.

For the first quarter ended May 4, Target Corp. posted net earnings of $498 million, or 77 cents per diluted share, versus $697 million, or $1.04 per diluted share, in the period a year ago. Comparable store sales declined by 0.6% with average transaction amount up 1.3% and units per transaction up 1.8% but number of transactions down 1.9% and selling price per unit down 0.6%.

For the first quarter ended May 5, The Home Depot today reported net earnings of $1.2 billion, or 83 cents per diluted share, versus $1 billion, or 68 cents per diluted share, in the fiscal 2012 period. Comparable store sales increased 4.3% versus last year’s quarter.

For the 13-week first quarter ended May 4, Best Buy Co. Inc. posted a net loss of $81 million, or 24 cents per diluted share, versus net earnings of $158 million, or 46 cents per diluted share, in the year-earlier period. Comparable store sales fell 1.3% in the quarter with domestic comps down 1.1% and international comps down 2.8%, the retailer announced.

For the first quarter ended May 4, Nordstrom, Inc. has announced that net earnings were $145 million, or 73 cents per diluted share, versus $149 million, or 70 cents per diluted share, in the period last year. According to the company, comparable store sales increased 2.7% versus last year’s quarter.

According to Prosper Insight and Analytics, consumer confidence in a strong economy declined slightly in May from April. Of consumers surveyed in May, 39.3% were optimistic about economic gains versus 40% in April, with Prosper noting that consumer sentiment has zigzagged up and down over the past several months in the face of an uncertain atmosphere.

A new study commissioned by the Private Label Manufacturers Association and conducted by GfK Custom Research North America demonstrates that, despite changes in society, women still dominate the retail marketplace. Although women’s roles have changed in recent decades, those who act as primary household purchaser take on the overwhelming bulk of the task.

Ikea has launched its new 2013 Stockholm collection, emphasizing “Smart Craftsmanship” with high-quality, timeless pieces designed to stand up to the ages. Inspired by ‘50s and ‘60s home furnishings, the new collection combines detailed, functional design with fine materials such as full-grain leather and bone china to offer comfort, style and sophistication at an affordable price, the retailer said.

Staples is launching a Sports & Art Photo Gallery to further its goal of becoming a lifestyle product resource for its office and professional goods customers. Staples store shoppers will be able to look through a digital library of licensed professional photographs, featuring images from the NFL and NBA as well as landscapes and fine art, select, then purchase and print.

A new online boutique for women looking to accessorize both their wardrobes and their homes has just debuted. CocoMia offers small home accessories and trendy jewelry with whimsical and affordable finishing touches, so personalizing product to a woman’s unique style, the online retailer announced.

For the first quarter ended May 4, Kohl’s Corp. has reported that net income decreased to $147 million, or 66 cents per diluted share, from $154 million, or 63 cents per diluted share, for the year-prior period. Comparable store sales decreased 1.9% in the quarter year over year.

For the first quarter ended April 30, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. posted net income of $3.8 billion, up 1.1% versus the year-earlier period, while diluted earnings per share reached $1.14, a 4.6% advance from $1.09. However, comparable stores sales at namesake stores in the United States fell by 1.4% as overall U.S. comps slipped by 1.2% versus the period last year, the retailer reported.

Meyer Corp. has expanded its retail reach for Rachael Ray kitchenware, with recent placement in Walmart stores and on Walmart.com. The comprehensive Rachael Ray assortment includes cookware, bakeware, kitchen tools, serveware and tabletop products.

The Kroger Co. has named Scott Henderson vp/pension investment and strategy, it has announced. The company also has named Todd Foley vp and treasurer.

For the first quarter ended May 4, Macy’s, Inc. today reported earnings of $217 million, or 55 cents per diluted share, versus $181 million, or 43 cents per diluted share, for the period last year. Comparable store sales increased 3.8% from last year’s first quarter.

Even as it posted first quarter sales results, Five Below, Inc. announced that it was redistributing stock and entering new markets. For the fiscal first quarter, the tween-oriented discount store chain announced that total sales increased 33% to $95.6 million as comparable store sales increased 4.2%.

Century 21 Department Store is opening a new concept operation at The Outlet Collection/Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, NJ. With a smaller footprint, the new store offers an elevated shopping experience, the retailer stated, and an edited assortment of designer merchandise from the United States and Europe at up to 65% off retail every day.

Lease-to-own retailer Aaron's, Inc., which specializes in residential furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, has announced that it appointed Robert Kamerschen senior vp and general counsel. His new responsibilities include managing all legal and governmental affairs for Aaron's, including employment law, regulatory matters, intellectual property, litigation, vendor relationships, financings, acquisitions and related matters, the company stated.

Amazon, Inc. has gotten into the electronic currency game and is offering discounts for customers who play along. The online retailer has announced that its customers can now use Amazon Coins, available for purchase on its site, to pay for apps, games and in-app items in the Amazon Appstore and on Kindle Fire, adding that it plans to expand the use of the own-currency to other product areas.

Meijer is the 2013 HomeWorld Business Retail Champion. Meijer is featured in the May 13 edition of HomeWorld Business.

April retail sales, excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, increased 0.6% seasonally adjusted from last month and 3.9% unadjusted year-over-year, the National Retail Federation announced today. Better employment numbers, increasing housing prices and a record-breaking stock market boosted consumer confidence, according to the organization, factors that also drove total retail and food services sales, which includes automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants, up 0.1% seasonally adjusted month-to-month and up 3.7% adjusted from last year’s April.

According to market research firm comScore, Inc. retail e-commerce sales generated across the United States in the first quarter grew 13% year-over-year to $50.2 billion, marking the 14th consecutive quarter of positive year-over-year growth and 10th consecutive quarter of double-digit gains. The first frame of this fiscal year was only the second quarterly period to surpass $50 billion in spending, comScore emphasized.

For the 13 weeks ended May 4, 2013, Ross Stores, Inc. comparable store sales rose 3% over those in last year’s first quarter, the company reported. Total sales reached $2.54 billion, up 6% from the prior-year period.

Dallas Market Center will feature an array of exhibitors and special events as well as cooking and product demonstrations during the upcoming Total Housewares & Gourmet Market, June 19 to 25. The show also will feature educational opportunities including a presentation by Bob Coviello, president of HTI Buying Group.

For the 13-week period ended May 4, TJX Cos., Inc. announced that consolidated comparable store sales increased 2% over last year’s period. Overall sales reached $6.2 billion, a 7% increase over the 13-week period ended April 28.

With the promise of premium performance, reliability and quality, CVS/pharmacy has launched Total Home, a newly developed home care product line, at stores and through its website, the company has announced. The new Total Home line includes an array of products that support everyday home activities ranging from cleaning to cooking to organizing.

Sears Holdings announced today that Jeff Balagna will join the company as executive vp and chief information officer. He most recently served as the chief information officer at Eli Lilly.

On May 16, Meijer will open its 200th store at a location in Swartz Creek, MI, the company’s co-chairman Hank Meijer announced today. The family-owned company opened its first retail operation in 1934 and will mark the 200th store milestone with a ribbon-cutting celebration that will include presentations to the Swartz Creek Food Bank and the Swartz Creek Civic Center enhancement project, the company stated.

Staples, Inc. has appointed Faisal Masud executive vp/global e-commerce, effective May 20. In this newly created role, he will lead online and digital growth, the company announced, and will report to Demos Parneros, president of North American stores and online for Staples.

Pier 1 is getting back into the registry business. The company also may invest in a renewed Pier 1 Kids effort, according to an analyst report.

Target is using Facebook to promote a new application, dubbed Cartwheel, that gives consumers a fresh way to receive discounts from the company. According to a posting in Facebook’s Ap Center, Cartwheel is “a whole new spin on saving,” that allows consumers to sign up and instantly choose from hundreds of exclusive discounts from 5% to 30% available on computer or mobile devices.

For the fiscal first quarter ended March 30, OfficeMax, Inc. posted net income available to common shareholders of $56.3 million, or 64 cents per diluted share, compared to net income of $4.9 million, or six cents per diluted share, in the prior-year period. Adjusted net income was $10.1 million, or 11 cents per diluted share, versus $19 million, or 22 cents per diluted share, in the 2012 first quarter.

Retailers, restaurants and bars were the biggest contributors to April’s employment growth in the United States, according to numbers recently released by the U.S. government and by the International Council of Shopping Centers. ICSC also noted that shopping centers are making net income gains.

In restating results for 2011 and the first quarter of the latest fiscal year, as the company previously announced it would do, Stein Mart, Inc. posted an increase in net income to $25 million, or 57 cents per diluted share, for 2012 from $19.9 million, or 44 cents per diluted share, in previous annum. The retailer also related plans for its e-commerce launch.

Target Corp. is taking a step further along the road to full operations in Canada with its announcement that it is beginning a soft opening process at 22 locations in Western Canada and at two more locations in the region starting on May 14. The soft openings will occur in British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba, and follow the opening of 24 stores across Ontario.

For the four weeks ended April 27, Rite Aid Corp. comparable store sales decreased 4% from the prior-year period. April front-end comps slipped 3.5%, hit by an earlier Easter this year compared to last, the company stated.

Today, Walmart announced the launch of a national television and digital advertising campaign, as well as the accompanying website, www.therealwalmart.com, developed to demonstrate how people across the United States count on Walmart to save money on the products they want and need. The campaign also showcases how the company provides substantive career opportunities for its associates, and how it creates efficiencies and works directly with manufacturers to help deliver low prices, the retailer asserted.

In April, Walgreens generated sales of $5.98 billion, an increase of 3.8% from the same month in fiscal 2012, the retailer announced. Total front-end sales, including general merchandise such as home furnishings and housewares, decreased 2.9% versus the same month in fiscal 2012, while comparable store front-end sales decreased 4.3%.

At its annual shareholders meeting today, Sears Holdings is telling investors it is cutting costs and “unlocking value" by divesting and selling real estate. At the same time, the retailer said it is advancing through its operation of loyalty card and e-commerce programs.

NACCO Industries today reported first quarter net income for its Hamilton Beach small appliance division was $1.5 million compared with $1 million in the first quarter of 2012. According to the company, the increase was primarily the result of increased sales of higher-margin products, favorable foreign currency movements and lower interest expense, partially offset by a moderate increase in product costs and higher selling, general and administrative expenses.

For the three months ended March 31, CVS Caremark Corp. posted a 23.1% gain in income from continuing operations to $956 million. Adjusted earnings per share were 83 cents versus 65 cents in the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 28.1%.

Big Lots, Inc. has announced that it named David Campisi CEO and president effective May 6. He succeeds Steve Fishman, who announced in December 2012 his intention to retire upon the appointment of a successor.

To support growth and fill job vacancies, Dollar General has reported that it will hire 10,000 new employees in May across its store and distribution network. The retailer will hold career fairs to recruit candidates throughout the month, it stated, in the 40 states that the network serves.

Tomorrow, Walgreens will conduct the official opening of its newest flagship store, located at School and Washington streets in Boston. The company designed the store to include an extensive collection of innovative offerings, products and services unexpected from a drugstore, among them, a LOOK Boutique department that serves as the core of a beauty operation including expanded assortments of everything from cosmetics to electric tools such as curling irons.

Consumers around the world are getting a bit more confident about the global economy, according to the Nielsen Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions. Those in North America have helped with the confidence gain, even if they remain a bit wary of conditions.

Safeway Inc. has announced that Robert Edwards, currently the company's president, will succeed Steven Burd as CEO upon his retirement as chairman and chief executive officer on May 14. Edwards also will join Safeway’s board of directors, the company stated.

Kohl’s Corp. has announced the opening of a new information technology office in California’s Silicon Valley. The 52,000 square-feet of office in Milpitas, CA, will act as an extension of the IT operation at the company’s Menomonee Falls, WI, corporate office and will initially house more than 30 Kohl’s associates with the potential to accommodate future growth, the retailer noted.

For the fiscal quarter ended March 30, Office Depot, Inc. reported a net loss, after preferred stock dividends, of $17 million, or six cents per share, compared to net earnings, after preferred stock dividends, of $41 million, or 14 cents per diluted share, in the 2012 quarter. Total company sales were $2.7 billion, down 5% versus the 2012 first quarter in both U.S. dollars and in constant currency, the company stated.