With Fantasy on Fire, Print Book Sales Are Catching Up to 2023 (publishersweekly.com)

Walmart Inc. announces third-quarter results with strong growth in revenue and operating income. Globally, eCommerce grew 27% with penetration up across all segments. Walmart U.S. comp sales up 5.3%2 with positive growth in general merchandise. Looking ahead, the Company raises its guidance for FY25 with net sales expected to grow 4.8% to 5.1% and adjusted operating income to grow 8.5% to 9.25% in constant currency (“cc”)1. “We had a strong quarter, continuing our momentum. Our associates are working hard to save people time and money and to transform our business. In the U.S., in-store volumes grew, pickup from store grew faster, and delivery from store grew even faster than that. Our teams are executing and delighting our customers and members with the value and convenience they expect from Walmart.” Doug McMillon President and CEO, Walmart.

L Brands, Inc. reported net sales of $1.267 billion for the four weeks ended Nov. 25, 2017, an increase of 2 percent, compared to net sales of $1.246 billion for the four weeks ended Nov. 26, 2016. Comparable sales decreased 1 percent for the four weeks ended Nov. 25, 2017. For November, the exit of the swim and apparel categories had a negative impact of about 1 percentage point for both total company and Victoria’s Secret comparable sales. The company reported net sales of $9.077 billion for the 43 weeks ended Nov. 25, 2017, a decrease of 3 percent compared to net sales of $9.331 billion for the 43 weeks ended Nov. 26, 2016. Comparable sales decreased 6 percent for the 43 weeks ended Nov. 25, 2017. For the 43 weeks ended Nov. 25, 2017, the exit of the swim and apparel categories had a negative impact of about 4 percentage points and 6 percentage points to total company and Victoria’s Secret comparable sales, respectively.

Sales in the third quarter of 2017 totaled $5.281 billion, a decrease of 6.1 percent, compared with sales of $5.626 billion in the third quarter of 2016. The year-over-year decline in total sales reflects, in part, the closure of stores previously announced by the company. Comparable sales on an owned basis were down 4.0 percent in the third quarter and down 3.6 percent on an owned plus licensed basis. Macy’s, Inc.’s operating income for the third quarter of 2017 totaled $121 million, or 2.3 percent of sales, compared to $107 million, or 1.9 percent of sales, for the third quarter of 2016. Operating income for the third quarter of 2017 totaled $176 million, or 3.3 percent of sales, excluding restructuring and other costs of $33 million and non-cash retirement plan settlement charges of $22 million. Operating income for the third quarter of 2016 totaled $169 million, or 3.0 percent of sales, excluding non-cash retirement plan settlement charges of $62 million. Click Read More below for additional information.