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May Department Stores Earnings Nearly Flat: The retailer reported that profit was little changed in the first quarter, as a slowdown in consumer spending took a toll on the bottom line. St. Louis-based May, the nation’s seventh-largest retailer, said it earned $114 million, or 42 cents a share, compared to $112 million, or 41 cents a share, in last year’s quarter. The department store giant, whose chains include Robinsons May, Lord & Taylor, Foley’s and Payless ShoeSource, said sales grew 7%, to $2.70 billion from $2.53 billion a year earlier.