Shop Talk

Check Out Line: It’s a bad idea to raise the turkey you sell

Check out why Heinz didn’t suffer like Hormel did in the past quarter.

H.J. Heinz came in with a quarterly profit that beat Wall Street expectations, helped by price increases and new product sales, while Jennie-O turkey seller Hormel Foods saw its earnings dip.

Food companies have found it tough going as commodity costs shoot up, but Hormel was particularly hard hit. The reason? It raises the turkeys that it eventually sells — meaning spiking corn feed costs hurt its results. 

Also in food news –  Burger King reported quarterly numbers that easily beat analysts’ expectations, as consumers headed to its restaurants for a burger or two. It also issued a fiscal 2009 outlook within Wall Street’s expectations.

On the apparel end, Children’s Place posted a small quarterly profit, helped by summer clothing sales and cost cuts. Still, the kids’ apparel retailer said it expects further pressure on consumer spending due to the weak U.S. economy.

To round up news in the sector, Kohl’s Corp, a mid-tier department store operator, named its president Kevin Mansell as its chief executive, replacing Larry Montgomery, who will remain the company’s chairman.

Also in the basket:

Check Out Line: Consumers seek basics; retailers seek mergers

Check out a busy day for retailers as earnings — or losses – poured in from BJ’s Wholesale, Talbots, Charming Shoppes and Brown Shoe. 

The “flight to necessities” by the U.S. consumer was on display as BJ’s  — which sells food and fuel — posted a 26 percent jump in quarterly profit.

But for businesses steeped in discrection, the quarter was no cakewalk.  Talbots posted sharply lower quarterly net profit; Charming Shoppes reported a quarterly loss and Brown Shoe posted a lower first-quarter profit.

With the U.S. environment a tough one to navigate, retailers are looking to add or subtract businesses to put themselves in a better position. 

Spectrum Brands announced plans to sell its global pet supply business to a subsidiary of Salton Inc; the Wall Street Journal reported that Barnes and Noble Inc is looking into a possible bid for competitor Borders Group; and Dutch office supplier Corporate Express is seeking to buy French rival Lyreco for 1.4 billion euros ($2.2 billion), as it fends off a hostile bid from U.S. rival Staples.

(Photos: Reuters)