Albertsons And Safeway Ready To Roll

September 19, 2014 The merger between Albertsons and Safeway is expected to close in a few months and when it does the combined company already has a new senior leadership and field operations structure in place. The companies late Friday announced key leadership positions it said drew on strong talent within both organizations to build… Read more »

Rite Aid Revises Guidance In Second Quarter

September 18, 2014 Solid same store sales growth at Rite Aid caused second quarter profits to surge but looming pressure on pharmacy margins prompted the company to reduce its full year outlook. Rite Aid reported revenues of $6.5 billion for its second quarter ended August 30, representing a 3.9% lift credited to rising pharmacy same-store… Read more »

Builder Confidence Hits Highest Level Since November Of 2005

September 17, 2014 Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes rose for a fourth consecutive month in September to a level of 59 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released today.  This latest four-point gain brings the index to its highest reading since November of 2005.… Read more »

Millennials Will Play A Large Role In Shaping Housing Demand

September 16, 2014 Millennials will spend over $2 trillion on home purchases and rent in the next five years. Millennials’ housing aspirations are not so different than previous generations. Most plan to purchase homes and live in suburbs, and nearly all already have cars. Millennials will play a critical role in shaping housing demand over… Read more »

Thanks To Saks, HBC’s Sales & Profit Soar In Q2

September 12, 2014 Hudson’s Bay Company is reaping the rewards of its acquisition last year of Saks.  The company’s retail sales soared 86.6% to $1.8 billion, from $948 million in the prior year. Consolidated same-store sales increased by 1.9% on a local currency basis, with increases of 1.1% at HBC’s department store group (DSG), 2.2%… Read more »

August Retail Sales Increased 0.5 Percent

September 12, 2014 The National Retail Federation calculates that August retail sales – excluding automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants – increased 0.5 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and 2.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year.  When combined with revisions to July, August sales indicate a consistent improvement in consumer confidence and spending but run contrary to August’s lackluster jobs… Read more »

BTS Propels Spending In August

September 12, 2014 Overall retail spending growth in August 2014 was the strongest in more than a year.  Retail dollar volume growth reached 2.8% in August – compared to 2.6% in July – as back-to-school shopping propelled spending growth in several retail categories. August’s overall average ticket growth remained positive at 1.2%, slipping slightly from… Read more »

Kroger Raises Full-Year Guidance

September 11, 2014 Kroger reported total sales of $25.3 billion, representing an increase of 11.6% for its second quarter.  Total sales, excluding fuel, increased 12.4% in the second quarter over the same period last year. “We are winning with customers because we offer a full range of advantages including a great overall shopping experience, excellent… Read more »

Unemployment Rates Remain Mixed In Europe

September 11, 2014 In July, unemployment rates remained mixed in Europe, according to unemployment rates and employment growth data compiled and standardized by The Conference Board International Labor Comparisons (ILC) program. Unemployment decreased in Germany (from 5.0 to 4.9 percent), the Netherlands (from 6.8 to 6.7 percent) and Sweden (from 7.9 to 7.7 precent), but… Read more »