Sporting Goods Retailers Struggle With Declining Sales

It seems that sporting goods retailers are in a slump. Last week The Sports Authority filed for bankruptcy and said it will close nearly a third of it’s 450 stores over the next three months. It ha not yet been disclosed which stores will close. Bankruptcy has been looming since January when the retailer disclosed… Read more »

NRF REPORTS INCREASE IN RETAIL EMPLOYMENT

The NRF (National Retail Federation) commented on the Labor Department’s report that retail employment (excluding gasoline stations, automobiles and restaurants) was up 51,100 jobs in February. Compared with February 2015, retail jobs were up by 247,300. Apparel stores saw a significant gain of 11,100 jobs. The NRF noted that weather played a big part of… Read more »

A Decline in Consumer Spending Is Forecasted for March

According to data from Chain Store Guide’s Consumer Spending Report, the month of March is likely to see a slowdown in consumer spending. While current economic reports are varied, the unpredictable stock market and upcoming elections have likely created unease among consumers. When polled on the state of the U.S. economy, nearly 30% of those… Read more »

Economists Say Tide May Be Turning Toward Single-Family Homes

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that while apartment construction has been a bright spot in the recovery of the nation’s housing market over the last six years, economists say the tide might be turning away from apartments and toward single-family homes. For the past six years, the construction of apartments and condos has grown… Read more »

US ECONOMY STARTS 2016 SLOW YET STEADY AS CONSUMER SPENDING GOES UP IN JANUARY

Consumer spending grew in January, showing an improvement in retail sales and home purchases. On Friday, the Commerce Department reported personal spending rose 0.5% in January from the prior month. Americans’ pretax earnings from salaries and investments increased at about the same pace. US consumer confidence dropped slightly in January but recovered slightly in February,… Read more »

DILLARD’S SALES AND PROFITS DROP IN Q4 2015

Dillard’s announced a 35.6% drop in fourth quarter profit. For the period ending January 30, revenue was $2.07 billion for the fourth quarter, down from $2.1 billion a year ago. Same store sales declined 2%. In 2015, Dillard’s opened three new stores in Murray, UT, Slidell, LA and Cincinnati, OH. They also closed two clearance… Read more »