SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets on Thursday announced it has begun the construction of an environmentally innovative 65,000-sq.-ft. superstore in Fogelsville, Pa.

When construction is completed, the store is expected to achieve U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification for measurably reducing or mitigating its environmental impact for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, material selection and indoor environmental quality.

The Fogelsville unit will be Weis Markets’ first LEED-certified store.

The store also will incorporate advanced refrigeration technologies to reduce refrigerant emissions by 60% compared to the typical supermarket. These systems decrease the store’s impact on the ozone layer and climate change.

The store will feature larger perishable departments, including a produce department with a greater selection of organic produce and a large deli with an expanded food service section, a full-service pharmacy and an in-store café where beer is sold.
 

GRAPEVINE, Texas — Decreased demand for new video game hardware and software contributed to GameStop's 12.2% sales decline in global sales during the first quarter of 2012. Total global sales for the first quarter of 2012 were $2 billion compared with $2.28 billion in the prior year quarter, a decrease of 12.2%. As announced last week, consolidated comparable-store sales decreased 12.5% compared to the prior year quarter.

Paul Raines, CEO, stated, “GameStop continues to outperform the market in new game sales through the late stages of this console cycle. Despite slower store traffic during the quarter, we achieved our earnings target due primarily to gross margin expansion and positive profit contributions from our pre-owned, mobile and digital businesses. We expect those segments to fill the profitability gap as we transition to the new console cycle.”

During the quarter, sales in the pre-owned and ther categories were down slightly, while sales in new hardware and software declined more than expected. Digital receipts, which are included in the other category, increased 23% over the first quarter of 2011. Mobile sales, also included in the other category, were $12 million, on plan to reach the company’s goal for mobile sales of $150 to $200 million in 2012.

GameStop’s net earnings for the first quarter were $72.5 million compared to net earnings of $80.4 million in the prior year quarter. As announced last week, diluted earnings per share were 54 cents, compared to diluted earnings per share of 56 cents in the prior year quarter.

For the second quarter of fiscal 2012, GameStop expects comparable-store sales to range from down 11% to down 5%. Diluted earnings per share are expected to range from 10 centsto 18 cents.

The company maintains its previously announced full year diluted earnings per share guidance range of $3.10 to $3.30. Full year comparable store sales are expected to range from down 5% to flat.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Hibbett Sports raised its full year guidance after posting hefty sales and earnings growth for its first quarter. Sales for the first quarter ended April 28, increased 14.4% to $232.9 million compared with $203.7 million for the 13-week period ended April 30, 2011. Comparable-store sales increased 11.1%. Net income for the quarter increased 23.5% to $26.4 million compared with $21.3 million for the same period last year. Earnings per diluted share increased 29% to 98 cents compared with 76 cents for the same period last year.

Jeff Rosenthal, president and CEO, stated, “The fast pace of sales and momentum we discussed exiting fiscal 2012 continued throughout our first quarter. We experienced across-the-board strength in all categories, which, when combined with continued cost management and margin improvement, provides further confidence in raising our outlook for Fiscal 2013. We are proud of the commitment toward excellence that our Hibbett associates demonstrate.”

For the quarter, Hibbett opened seven new stores, expanded two high performing stores and closed four underperforming stores, bringing the store base to 835 in 26 states as of April 28.

The company increased its earnings guidance for fiscal 2013 to a range of $2.50 to $2.65 per diluted share (which includes an expected contribution of 7 cents to 9 cents per diluted share from the 53rd week) and an increase in comparable-store sales in the mid single digit range. For fiscal 2013, the company expects to open 55 to 60 new stores, expand approximately 15 high performing stores and close up to 18 stores.

NEW YORK — JCPenney executives laid out further details of their strategy going forward during the chain’s quarterly conference call with investors. The call followed the release of JCPenney’s first quarter results, when it reported a worse-then-expected loss of $163 million, and a 19% drop in same-store sales.

JCPenney said it would launch a new private label apparel brand, jcp, for both men and women. The brand is set to debut in August.

In addition, JCPenney said it will debut several brands in the fall, including a line for young girls, called Dream Pop by Cynthia R. It also will roll out branded collections from designers Betsey Johnson, Vivienne Tam and Lulu Guiness. JCPenney is also looking to expand such brands as Puma and Nike, and rebuild its St. John's Bay, Worthington and Stafford brands.

In other plans, the retailer in the first half of 2013 will launch a 20,000-sq.-ft. home department, which will be anchored by the Martha Stewart shop, according to Advertising Age. Collections by designers Jonathan Adler and Michael Graves (whose partnership with Target recently ended) will be represented in the new space, the report said.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif — Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market has launched a new range of over 50 pre-seasoned, ready-to-cook items in stores just in time for the summer grilling season. The "Ready to Cook" line includes beef, pork, chicken, fish and vegetable options all pre-marinated or pre-seasoned ready to go straight in the skillet, microwave or on the grill.

“As we move into summer, more people are coming together for barbecues, graduations, and picnics and everyone wants to find great deals on quality meats and veggies they can easily throw on the grill,” said Anthony Johnson, Fresh & Easy’s category manager for meat, fish and poultry. “Customers can easily and affordably put together a meal with unique flavor combinations with our new ‘Ready to Cook’ appetizers, meats and sides.”

Some of the new fresh&easy ‘Ready to Cook’ products introduced for this summer include:

•     Jalapeno Poppers 9oz - $3.49

•     Stuffed Red Peppers 11oz - $3.99

•     BBQ Bacon & Cheese Patties 1.2lbs - $5.49

•     Sweet Chili & Apricot Pork Chops 1.25lbs - $5.99

•     Tequila & Orange Chicken 1.25lb - $5.99

•     Chili, Pepper & Garlic Barbacoa Beef 1.25lb - $6.99

•     Atlantic Salmon Skewers with spicy orange sauce 12oz - $5.99

•     Mango Chipotle Albacore Tuna 12oz - $6.99

•     Mushroom & Onion Steak Topper 10oz - $2.62

•     Chili Herb Sweet Potatoes 12oz - $3.49

•     Baby Gold Potatoes & Onions with Lemon Herb Butter 15oz - $3.49