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Weak housing data notwithstanding, plenty of people spent money fixing up their homes this spring judging by the results of select retailers with exposure to the home improvement market. Lumber Liquidators, operator of 277 specialty flooring stores, said its second-quarter sales increased nearly 20% to $210 million and same-store sales increased 12.4%. The company also... Read more »

Despite a stagnant economy and drought conditions across large parts of the country, Brentwood, Tenn.-based Tractor Supply Co. reported sales and earnings growth. The company posted second-quarter sales of $1.29 billion, up 9.6% from $1.18 billion in the same quarter last year. The nation’s largest chain of farm and ranch specialty stores posted earnings of... Read more »

There is a lot to like when it comes to the growth trajectory at Family Dollar and its record of consistency. The company just reported its 17th consecutive quarter of double-digit earnings per share growth, and the foundation is in place for more of the same. Total sales increased 9.6% to nearly $2.4 billion, and... Read more »

Ahead of its investor and analyst conference, Home Depot has provided an update on its strategic priorities and long-term financial targets. Home Depot’s strategic goals include creating a stronger connection with customers and simplifying its business, improving merchandise assortment and value, improving shareholder value,and developing a competitive platform across all commerce channels. “The Home Depot... Read more »

U.S. retail sales declined during the month of June, the Census Bureau reported Tuesday. U.S. retail and food services sales for the month, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $401.5 billion, a decrease of 0.5% from the previous month but 3.8% above the year-ago period. Retail... Read more »

The U.S. Census Bureau announced that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for June, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $401.5 billion, a decrease of 0.5 percent (±0.5%) from the previous month, but 3.8 percent (±0.7%) above June 2011. Total sales for the... Read more »

Analysts expected 18 top retail chains to report modest gains in June, as high unemployment and falling consumer confidence have taken a toll on spending. Among the department store retailers reporting June same-store results so far, the results were largely mixed. Macy’s was among the retailers reporting sales that fell short of estimates. Same-store sales... Read more »

While consumer confidence may be slightly down, retailers that cater to lower-income and higher-income consumers should be pleased with the most recent Consumer Reports Index, as those two groups showed the greatest improvement in consumer sentiment. The Consumer Reports Index, an overall measure of Americans’ personal financial health, saw a sharp improvement in its consumer sentiment... Read more »

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had declined in May, fell further in June. The Index now stands at 62.0 (1985=100), down from 64.4 in May. The Expectations Index declined to 72.3 from 77.3. The Present Situation Index, however, increased to 46.6 from 44.9 last month. Says Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators at The... Read more »