Ross Stores Lifts Store-Growth Targets

Ross Stores reported net earnings in the second quarter rose 22.7 percent as same-store sales grew 5 precent.  The off-pricer also increased its long-term store growth potential.

The Buckle’s Earnings Climb

The Buckle Inc. reported net income improved 36.5 percent to $15.7 million, or 32 cents per share, compared with $11.5 million, or 24 cents, for the second quarter of fiscal 2017.

Foot Locker Not Yet Feeling Nike’s Resurgence

Shares of Foot Locker Inc. fell $4.88, or 9.2 percent, to $48.32 Friday after the sneaker leader reported second-quarter comps that came in slightly below Wall Street’s expectations. Foot Locker officials also continue to expect meager gains in the back-half of the year despite the hype around Nike’s return to growth in North America.

Aisle Talk Week of August 20

Top headlines from the active lifestyle industry you may have missed this week, including 5.11 opening a new store in Reno, NV, as part of a nationwide brick-and-mortar retail expansion.

Athleta’s Momentum Continues In Q2

While the athleisure chain saw some softness in swim, Athleta again churned out strong results in the second quarter for Gap Inc. Art Peck, Gap Inc.’s president and CEO, on a conference call with analysts, said Athleta “delivered another market share gaining quarter and is progressing well against our billion dollar sales objective.”

Foot Locker’s Q2 Beats Street

Profits at Foot Locker Inc. jumped 72.5 percent in the second quarter, exceeding expectations. Same-store sales inched up 0.5 percent, improving from a decline of 2.8 percent seen in the first quarter, and stronger growth continues to be expected for the second half.

U.S., China Escalate Trade War With New Round Of Tariffs

The United States and China went ahead with tariff hikes on billions of dollars of each other’s automobiles, factory machinery and other goods Thursday in an escalation of a battle over Beijing’s technology policy that companies worry will chill global economic growth.