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.

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.

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.

Lifetime Brands and The Bombay Co. have entered into a licensing agreement in the Home Décor and Lighting, Wall Décor, Tabletop, Flatware, Pantryware, and Storage and Organization product categories. The partners will introduce product collections in 2013 under the deal and roll them out early next year in the United States, U.S. territories, United Kingdom, Brazil and Mexico through Lifetime’s distribution network and The Bombay Co.’s website.

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.

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%.

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

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.

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.

As reported on Reuters, World Kitchen is exploring a sale of the company. The housewares company, based in Rosemont, IL reportedly has hired Baird to shop the company in a deal that could be worth $600 million to $700 million, according to three sources familiar with the matter, the Reuters report stated.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. and Starbucks Coffee Co. have signed an agreement that provides for the expansion of their partnership for the manufacturing, marketing, distribution and sale of Starbucks and Tazo brand single-serve packs for use in GMCR's Keurig single-serve brewing systems globally. Starbucks and GMCR first entered into partnership in March 2011.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In the first quarter, Safeway Inc. generated net income of $118.9 million, or 49 cents per diluted share, a number that includes tax benefits of 14 cents per diluted share. In the year-earlier period, Safeway posted net income of $72.9 million, or 27 cents per diluted share.

For fiscal 2013, supermarket operator and distributor Supervalu Inc. reported net sales of $17.1 billion and a net loss from continuing operations of $263 million, or $1.24 per diluted share, versus net sales of $17.34 billion and net loss of $110 million, or 52 cents per diluted share, in the year earlier. When adjusted for charges, net loss from continuing operations in fiscal 2013 was $76 million, or 36 cents per diluted share, the company stated.

Clay Farnsworth has been promoted to president and CEO of Lava Lite LLC, developer and marketer of Lava-branded lighting products and Detecto-branded bath scales.

For the first quarter ended March 31, eBay Inc. reported income on a GAAP basis of $677 million, or 51 cents per diluted share, and non-GAAP net income of $829 million, or 63 cents per diluted share. In the year-prior quarter, eBay posted GAAP net income of $570 million, or 44 cents per diluted share, and non-GAAP net income of $725 million, or 55 cents per diluted share.

Today, Amazon announced the launch of a 50+ Active and Healthy Living Store that includes consumables and durable items ranging from Rogaine to hair dryers. Indeed, the company pointed out that amazon.com/50activeliving provides hundreds of thousands of nutrition, wellness, fitness, medical, personal care, beauty and entertainment items in a single destination for customers 50 years old and up.

Target Corp. is another retailing crying foul… weather. The company today announced that it expects first quarter 2013 comparable store sales growth to be approximately flat due to softer than anticipated sales trends particularly in seasonal and other weather-sensitive categories across the store.

Today, J.C. Penney Co. announced plans to enhance its financial flexibility and position, in part to support the remerchandising of 500 home departments to a shop merchandising format. In the process and consistent with previously stated plans, the company has drawn $850 million from a $1.85 billion committed revolving credit facility, a move that will fund working capital requirements and capital expenditures, it stated.

For the 53-week fiscal year ended March 2, Pier 1 Imports, Inc. posted net income of $129.4 million, or $1.20 per diluted share, versus $168.9 million, or $1.48 per diluted share, in the 52-week fiscal 2011. Fiscal 2013 comparable store sales, calculated on a 52-week basis, increased 7.5% over the year earlier.

For the 53-week fiscal year ended March 2, Bed, Bath & Beyond Inc. posted net earnings of $1.04 billion, or $4.56 per diluted share, versus $989.5 million, or 4.06 per diluted share, in the corresponding 52-week period a year ago. Comparable store sales increased 2.7% year over year.

For the 14-week period ended March 2, Family Dollar posted net earnings of $140.1 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, versus $136.4, or $1.15 per diluted share, for the year-earlier period. Comparable store sales increased 2.9% in the second quarter versus the period last year.

Ron Johnson is out. What will remain of his new approach to marketing and merchandising as Mike Ulman returns as J.C. Penney Co. CEO remains to be seen.

Brookstone, Inc. has announced that it accepted the resignation of Stephen Bebis, its president and CEO and a member of the company's board of directors. Effective upon Bebis' resignation, James Speltz, the company's vp/COO became the company's new president and CEO.

Google is launching its anticipated home delivery service in the San Francisco Bay Area, where residents will be able to get products from national retailers such as Target, Walgreens, Staples, American Eagle and Toys“R”Us/Babies“R”Us and regional/local retailers such as Blue Bottle Coffee, Palo Alto Toy & Sport and Raley’s Nob Hill Foods shipped to their doors same day as purchase. In the first phase, Google Shopping Express is calling for testers who will get a six month free membership to the service.

The De'Longhi Group today announced the appointment of Jim Foster as vp/U.S. sales. In his new position, Foster will lead the continued growth of De’Longhi in the United States by building channel-appropriate retailer plans and further enhancing the valuable equity created by the group's brands, according to the company.

Today, OfficeMax Inc. announced it has opened a new store format, OfficeMax Business Solutions Center, in downtown Milwaukee. The retailer designed the store concept to serve the city's business community.

The mobile sector, eBay Inc. has declared, is leading a commerce revolution that will create significantly different consumer and retail experiences worldwide. In a company meeting for the financial community held yesterday, eBay said it intends to drive strong continued growth in its core Marketplaces, PayPal and GSI Commerce businesses but, at the same time, to leverage its global mobile commerce leadership and other commerce technologies to accomplish its operations and revenue goals.

For the fiscal year ended February 2, Fred's, Inc. reported net income of $29.6 million, or 81 cents per diluted share, compared with $33.4 million, or 87 cents per diluted share, in the prior year. Net income in 2012 included approximately $4.2 million, or 12 cents per diluted share, related to a state income tax settlement as well as other tax-related assumptions and estimates.

For the fiscal year ended February 1, Dollar General Corp. reported net income of $953 million, or $2.85 per diluted share, versus $767 million, or $2.22 per diluted share, for fiscal year 2011, the retailer announced. Adjusted net income, excluding extraordinary factors, increased to $973 million, or $2.91 per diluted share, versus $819 million, or $2.37 per diluted share, in fiscal 2011.

For the 14 weeks ended February 2, Ross Stores, Inc. reported earnings of $236.6 million, or $1.07 per share, from $192 million, or 85 cents per share, for the 13 weeks ended January 28, 2012. Comparable store sales for the quarter rose 5% year over year, the company stated.

The NPD Group, Inc., today reported estimates that online purchases for floor care products in the United States increased 31% in dollar sales in 2012 versus 2011. Online sales accounted for 16% of total floor care dollars in 2012.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc., has reported that GAAP earnings grew to $256.7 million, or $2.54 per diluted share, in the 53-week fiscal 2012 from $236.9 million, or $2.22 per diluted share, in the 52-week fiscal 2011, while earnings per share adjusted for one-time events came in at $2.58 versus $2.24 in the year earlier. Fourth quarter net revenues increased 8.7% to $4.04 billion from fiscal 2011, while, on a comparable-weeks basis, they gained 6.6%.

LG Electronics USA is strengthening its alliance with the National Collegiate Athletic Association as an official NCAA Corporate Partner, gearing up a series of hoops fan activities for the 2013 NCAA Men's Final Four, April 6-8. LG is inviting fans to Do March Right all month long during the tournament's 75th celebration— from hosting tips for game-viewing gatherings, to testing historical sports knowledge with trivia from 75 years of the Big Dance, to calling for the best game-time recipes— all for a chance to win a trip to the Final Four.

Today, Walgreen Co. announced that adjusted fiscal 2013 second quarter net earnings were $915 million, or 96 cents per diluted share, versus $767 million, or 88 cents per diluted share, in the year-ago period. Walgreens 96 cents per diluted share earnings beat a published Thomson Reuters consensus analyst estimate by two cents.

Today, Staples, Inc. announced it is expanding the Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery line. The collection is exclusive to Staples, the retailer noted, and, with the new products rolling out this week, includes additional organization items that complement the existing lineup of Martha Stewart-branded products.

Target Corp. today announced agreements to acquire CHEFS Catalog and assets of Cooking.com in two separate transactions. The e-commerce acquisitions are aimed at expanding Target’s presence in the growing cooking and kitchenware market, the retailer stated.

Today, Kirkland's, Inc. posted net income of $13.8 million, or 77 cents per diluted share, for the 53 weeks ended February 2 versus $19.1 million, or 95 cents per diluted share, for the 52 weeks ended January 28, 2012. Net sales for the 53-week fiscal 2012 increased 4.2% to $448.4 million versus fiscal 2011.