Resources

The upscale beauty business continues to shine. In 2015, prestige beauty – makeup, fragrances and skin care products that are not found typically at drug stores, saw a 7% increase in sales. Sephora and Ulta each posted phenomenal sales results. Estee Lauder raised its sales forecast as demand for their product line are growing. The... Read more »

JDA Software Group recently conducted a new survey of more than 250 store managers and found that retailers are unprepared for the “perfect labor storm” that’s brewing. It’s fueled by new and shifting labor regulations and ever-expanding customer needs. The Voice of the Store Associate Survey found that over half of respondents feel only somewhat... Read more »

Swedish retailer H&M recently revealed its aggressive plans for both physical and digital growth in 2016. The company will open its 4000th location when they add 425 stores this year. H&M also plans to expand its e-commerce efforts to Japan and 10 other markets. “Our strong expansion continues, we are gaining market share and we... Read more »

According to its annual financial filing released on Wednesday, for the first time since the company went public 45 years ago, Walmart’s revenues declined from the year before. With over 11,500 store in 28 countries worldwide, the retail giant brings in half a trillion dollars in sales each year. Is it possible that they’ve hit... Read more »

In a new survey conducted by Capital Business Credit, 75% of major retailers of soft goods such as clothing and accessories expect retail sales to grow by 4% or more for the spring and summer shopping season. If they do, they will outpace core GDP growth and provide a jolt to the economy. According to... Read more »

As the first quarter of the year comes to a close, consumer spending stayed soft, rising just 0.1% for the third consecutive month. Incomes have been rising faster than that rate, indicating that Americans seem to be saving rather than spending. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth also slowed. Consumer spending generates more than 2/3 of... Read more »

In an era when e-commerce is growing and chains like Kohl’s, Macy’s and Staples are closing stores, Dollar General is expanding. At it’s annual investor day last Thursday, the discount chain announced it will open 900 new stores this year and plans to open another 1,000 in 2017. Adding 1,900 new stores will bring Dollar... Read more »

Despite an expected snow storm in the mid-Atlantic States and New England, consumer spending and apparel sales should both rise as the weather improves, according to analytics firm Planalytics. In its weekly report, Planalytics said that warmer weather is resulting in “many consumers thinking and purchasing spring. The warming conditions during the Easter run-up period... Read more »

Last year, Wall Street firm Cowen & Co. famously predicted that Macy’s would be be dethroned by Amazon.com as the top apparel retailer in the U.S. But Macy’s CEO Terry Lundgren believes that Macy’s nearly 800 stores offer a huge advantage over Amazon. He noted that shoppers typically order multiple sizes of the same piece... Read more »