The company reported that net sales for the fourth quarter were $1.95 billion, a 12.8% increase compared with $1.73 billion reported for the quarter ended Jan. 29, 2011. Comparable-store sales increased 7.3%, on top of a 3.9% increase for the fourth quarter 2010.

Earnings per diluted share for the fourth quarter were $1.60, an increase of 24% compared to the $1.29 earnings per diluted share reported for the fourth quarter 2010.

“I am pleased to report that our business momentum remains strong as Dollar Tree’s sales, operating margin, and earnings continued to expand in the fourth quarter,” said president and CEO Bob Sasser. “Dollar Tree is focused on providing a broad, balanced assortment of merchandise that customers need and want at surprising values. Our stores are clean, bright, convenient, seasonally relevant and fun to shop. We are looking forward to an exciting spring and Easter selling season.”

During the fourth quarter, Dollar Tree opened 21 stores, expanded or relocated 3 stores, and closed 5 stores. Retail selling square footage increased 6.9% compared to a year ago, to 37.6 million sq. ft.

Dollar Tree reported that net sales for the full year were $6.63 billion, a 12.7% increase compared with 2010 sales of $5.88 billion. Comparable-store sales increased 6%, on top of a 6.3% increase last year.

Diluted earnings per share were $4.03, an increase of 30% from diluted earnings per share of $3.10 in 2010. 

For the first quarter of 2012, Dollar Tree said it expects sales to be in the range of $1.65 billion to $1.69 billion, based on low -to- mid single-digit positive comparable-store sales, and 7% square footage growth. Diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of 91 cents to 97 cents.

For the full year, the company said it estimates sales will range from $7.25 billion to $7.42 billion. This estimate is based on a range of low -to -mid single digit positive comparable-store sales, and square footage growth of approximately 7.2% for the year. Fiscal year 2012 diluted earnings per share are expected to be in the range of $4.65 to $4.90. 

Total sales increase by 5.8% to $122.3 billion, profits from continuing operations increased 3.4% to nearly $5.2 billion and earnings per share from continuing operations increased 7.5% to $1.44 from $1.34 if one time gains are excluded from both reporting periods.

“We are pleased with Walmart’s earnings performance for both the fourth quarter and the full year,” said Mike Duke, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. president and CEO. “Today, every segment of our business is stronger than it was a year ago, and we’re in a great position for fiscal year 2013.

As in the past, Duke asserted that Walmart remains the best positioned global retailer and touched on progress made in the United States where divisional president and CEO Bill Simon and chief merchandising office Duncan Mac Naughton have spent the past year implementing a back-to-basic strategy focused on asserting price leadership, controlling expenses, enhancing product assortment and ensuring products are on shelves. Progress on all those fronts is why Duke said Walmart had a great Christmas and, “the plan that Bill and his team put in place a year ago was the right plan.”

Duke said Walmart would continue to lower prices in the coming year and that positive trends will continue.

“Our price leadership is making a difference across the United States, as many families are settling into a new normal. Core customers remain cautious about their finances, and they rely on Walmart’s EDLP promise to help them manage through today’s economic challenges.” 

While the comps increase was noteworthy and toward the upper end of the company’s guidance range that called for flat to a 2% increased, the bigger deal was the increase volume of customers who shopped at Walmart during the quarter.

Simon said it was “the first positive traffic quarter in quite awhile,” thanks to the addition of 10,000 items to the product mix and advertising that effectively conveyed Walmart’s core value proposition of low prices on a broad and in-stock assortment of merchandise. 

“Our business models is working and we continue to drive progress on three major front,” Simon said, referring to price leadership, expanded assortment and on-shelf availability.

During the year, Walmart added 119 supercenters and 27 small formats for a total of 9.6 million new sq. ft.. This year, between 210 and 235 new units are planned with 80 to 100 of those being small formats, primarily Neighborhood Markets.

Looking abroad, Walmart’s international division also made a meaningful contribution to growth as sales increased 13.1% to nearly $35.5 billion.

Momentum continued as Sam’s Club where, excluding fuel, same-store sales increased 5.4% and total sales increased 5.4% to $12.6 billion.

For the year, Walmart’s sales increased 5.9% to $443.9 billion and full-year profits increased 2.7% to $15.8 billion. The company ended the year with 10,130 stores operating under 69 different banners in 27 countries and more than 2 million employees.

Specifically, 80% of the on-the-go audience preferred locally relevant advertising, and 75% were more likely to take an action after seeing a location-specific message. The top three actions included clicking on location-specific ads (31%), searching for the nearest location (21%) and/or conducting additional research (21%). Behavior further varied by smartphone device type. After clicking on an ad, iPhone users were most likely to conduct additional research (22%), Android users searched for the nearest location (25%) and Blackberry users immediately made a purchase (21%).

“It is exciting to see how important location-specific messaging is to consumers today,” stated David Staas, SVP marketing at JiWire. “As the on-the-go audience demands locally relevant information, brands need to focus on reaching consumers in and around their locations.”

In-store comparison shopping on a mobile device has become the No. 1 mobile behavior across all ages and gender. Similar to Pew Research’s findings that “one-third used their phone specifically for online information while inside a physical store,” JiWire also found this trend to be true, with 34% of on-the-go consumers participating in comparison-shopping behavior. JiWire’s report also delved a little deeper and found that 39% of consumers between the ages of 25 and 34 years old were the most likely to comparison shop in store, with 13% making a purchase on their mobile devices instead of in the store.

Other key findings: Consumers are four times more likely to search for reviews than to search for a friend’s recommendation; and 21% of consumers searched for coupons while in store. This recent phenomenon has caused online coupons to take off and become more popular over the years, JiWire noted. As many as 34% of consumers have redeemed an online coupon in the past 90 days. Additionally, mobile coupon redemption is rapidly nearing newspaper coupon redemption thresholds, with 18% redeeming mobile coupons and 22% redeeming newspaper coupons.

Tablets continued to dominate market share with significant growth across both the United States and United Kingdom, including the iPad, which saw substantial gains in the fourth quarter. The iOS and Android platforms increased in market share while Windows OS decreased. For the first time, the HP Touchpad, Kindle Fire and the Samsung Tablet have entered the Top 10 mobile devices.

“For 15 decades, FAO Schwarz has created a magical, one-of-a-kind retail environment, bringing joy to millions of kids and kids-at-heart,” said Jerry Storch, chairman and CEO, Toys“R”Us Inc., which exclusively operates the FAO Schwarz brand.  “As we celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2012, we are excited to evoke nostalgic memories by highlighting the brand’s past, while continuing to elevate the FAO Schwarz experience through redesigned store features and unique new product offerings.”

The year-long celebration began this week when company founder Frederick August Otto Schwarz was inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame at the Toy of the Year Awards in New York City. At the store, the real-life “toy” soldiers are sporting a new look to honor the sesquicentennial. Inside the store, special displays call out the anniversary including a gallery filled with classic toys and brand artifacts including the original Crayola 64 Box, first edition G.I. Joe action figures and a vintage Barbie Doll. In addition, the company will offer limited-edition items from Mattel, Hasbro, Playmobil and more.

The celebration extends online with a revamped FAO.com website that will highlight a dedicated feature shop of 150th anniversary products that have been created especially to mark the occasion. 

In the social space, the company’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/FAO, will undergo a similar transformation, featuring images of the famed flagship location, as well as trivia and facts culled from 150 years of FAO Schwarz history and more.

The 9|15 name derives from Saks Fifth Avenue’s Sept. 15 birthdate some 88 years ago and is inspired by the traditional timing of New York’s fashion week, the company said. 

The initial line will include asymmetrical knits and vests, skinny cargos and stone-washed henleys  in natural, warm colors. Fabrics used include jersey and featherweight cashmere, adding to the lines casual appeal.

9|15 is currently available in 29 Saks Fifth Avenue stores and on Saks.com. 

According to the 2012 Temkin Experience Ratings, in its second year, 76 companies (37% of the total) earned “poor” or “very poor” ratings.

The research examines customer experience across 18 industries: airlines, appliance makers, auto dealers, banks, car rental agencies, computer makers, credit card issuers, fast-food chains, grocery chains, health plans, hotel chains, insurance carriers, Internet service providers, investment firms, parcel delivery services, retailers, TV service providers, and wireless carriers.

Grocery chains, fast-food chains and retailers are the top three industries, earning an average rating of “good.” At the bottom of the ratings, TV service providers, Internet service providers, and health plans earn an average rating of “poor.” Health plans show up in seven of the bottom 14 spots in the ratings.

“While many companies aren’t delivering experiences that meet customers’ needs, it’s an epidemic for TV service providers, Internet service providers, and health plans,” said Bruce Temkin, author of the report and managing partner of Temkin Group.

The research by Temkin Group also analyzed the changes in ratings between 2011 and 2012. Among retailers, Kohl’s had the largest decline.