Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) reported its results for the third quarter. Net income for the grocery store fell to $195.9 million (33 cents per share) vs. $202 million (32 cents per share) a year earlier. This is a decline of 3% from the year earlier quarter. KR beat the mean analyst estimate of 31 cents per share. Analysts were expecting revenue of $20.38 billion.

“Kroger had an outstanding third quarter. Our associates delivered on our Customer 1st strategy and we had strong sales and earnings per share growth,” said David B. Dillon, Kroger’s chairman and chief executive officer. “This is exactly the positive momentum we strive for as we enter the holiday season, our most exciting time of the year. Based on the consistency of our results, we have the confidence to raise our earnings guidance for the year.”

Competitors to Watch: Safeway Inc. (NYSE:SWY), Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFM), SUPERVALU INC. (NYSE:SVU), The Fresh Market Inc (NASDAQ:TFM), Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:WINN), Ingles Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ:IMKTA), Weis Markets, Inc. (NYSE:WMK), Delhaize Group (NYSE:DEG), Ruddick Corporation (NYSE:RDK), Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT), Target (NYSE:TGT) and Arden Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARDNA).

Big Lots Inc. (NYSE:BIG) posted lower net income in the third quarter compared with a year-earlier period. Net income for the discount store fell to $4.2 million (6 cents per share) vs. $17.7 million (23 cents per share) a year earlier. This is a decline of 76.3% from the year earlier quarter. Revenue rose 7.8% to $1.14 billion from the year earlier quarter. BIG reported adjusted net income of 17 cents per share. By that measure, the company beat the mean estimate of 10 cents per share. Analysts were expecting revenue of $1.13 billion.

Competitors to Watch: Family Dollar Stores, Inc. (NYSE:FDO), Dollar General Corp. (NYSE:DG), 99 Cents Only Stores (NYSE:NDN), Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ:DLTR), Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc (NASDAQ:DUCK), Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT), Fred’s, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRED), Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT), Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ:COST), and Cost Plus, Inc. (NASDAQ:CPWM).

Zumiez Inc. (NASDAQ:ZUMZ) reported net income above Wall Street’s expectations for the third quarter. Net income for Zumiez Inc. rose to $14.1 million (45 cents per share) vs. $12.3 million (40 cents per share) in the same quarter a year earlier. This marks a rise of 14.8% from the year earlier quarter. Revenue rose 13.3% to $154 million from the year earlier quarter. ZUMZ beat the mean analyst estimate of 41 cents per share. Analysts were expecting revenue of $153.1 million.

Rick Brooks, Chief Executive Officer of Zumiez Inc., stated, “Our merchandise, new store opening, and ecommerce strategies once again allowed us to deliver on our goal of consistent sales and earnings growth. During the third quarter we continued to execute on key initiatives aimed at driving productivity, expanding our geographic footprint, and bringing our unique in-store experience to the internet. We are pleased with the current pace of growth for our business and believe our product assortment has us well positioned for the remainder of the holiday selling period.”

Competitors to Watch: Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc. (NASDAQ:PSUN), Aeropostale, Inc. (NYSE:ARO), American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO), Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE:ANF), Urban Outfitters, Inc. (NASDAQ:URBN), The Buckle, Inc. (NYSE:BKE), The Wet Seal, Inc. (NASDAQ:WTSLA), Hot Topic, Inc. (NASDAQ:HOTT), Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Inc. (NASDAQ:JOSB), and The Men’s Wearhouse, Inc. (NYSE:MW).

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