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:

Skechers says still wants to buy Heelys

Shareholder aims to thwart Longs-CVS deal - NY Post   

Tesco completes 605 mln stg of property deals

(Photo: Reuters)

Check out retailer’s different views on future profits.
 
Kohl’s, the mid-priced department store, says it expects third quarter earnings to be better than expected, while upscale Nordstrom cut its forecast range.
 
That’s not to say that Nordstrom’s consumers are flocking to Kohl’s as the U.S. economy suffers. Kohl’s profit fell in the second quarter. But cutting inventory was enough for it raise its profit estimate for the full year. Deutsche Bank retail analyst William Dreher also said the company will be able to set itself apart with fresh merchandise because it cleaned out its inventory.
 
Nordstrom, meanwhile, cut its full-year profit outlook. But while its customers are spending less, the retail chain says they are not trading down.
 
And if they were, they certainly aren’t trading down to J.C. Penney, which saw a 36 percent drop in profit and forecast third quarter earnings below analysts’ estimates. Sales also fell 2.5 percent.
 
Also in the basket: 
 
H&M defies retail gloom as July sales top forecast
 
Swatch upbeat on H2 as Olympics boosts sales
 
Back-to-School discounts are deeper, more creative (N.Y.Times)

 (Photo: Reuters)