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A new survey by HRC Advisory indicates that 80% of retailers are not prepared to transform their supply chains for a customer-centric, omnichannel model. 95% of retailers said their biggest issue is mitigating online returns, which can run as high as 30% and are very costly for a retailer. The high cost of online returns... Read more »

The Consumer Spending Report US Spending Index increased 1.7 points in September. 28.7% of adults surveyed rated the US economy as excellent and 30.3% said it is getting better. There was a divide between Democrats and Republicans: 56% of Republicans felt the economy is getting worse, while Democrats had a much higher percentage believing the... Read more »

Belk’s board of directors unanimously approved a merger with Sycamore Partners, expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2015. Belk agreed to be 100% acquired in a transaction with an estimated value of approximately $3 billion. Founded in 1888 by William Henry Belk, Belk is the largest family-owned and operated department store in... Read more »

Ten questions to get you started on a severe weather continuity plan. Tropical Storm Erika has caused at least 4 deaths and widespread flooding as she moves past Dominica and Puerto Rico.  The current forecast model cone suggests a path right over Florida with Miami impacted early Monday morning (31 Aug).  The model is uncertain... Read more »

Lowe’s reported an 8.4% increase in profit for Q2 2015, with net earnings of $1.3 billion and $1.20 a share. This up from last year’s Q2 earnings of $1.04 billion and $1.04 per share. Analysts were expecting results of $1.24 per share. The home improvement retailer’s net sales rose 4.5%, which was in line with... Read more »

Home Depot Inc. announced Tuesday that an improving housing market helped it to beat quarterly sales forecasts in Q2 2015. Net income rose to $2.23 billion. Net sales rose 4.3% to $24.83 billion, beating analysts’ estimates of $24.69 billion. Same-store sales rose 4.2%. Home Depot raised its projected sales for the year to a growth... Read more »

The US Consumer confidence index decreased in August to a score of 92.9, down from July’s 93.1. The index score was expected to increase. Retail sales increased 0.6% in July, attributed to employment rates rising. July’s unemployment rate hitting a seven year low of 5.3%. “Renewed strength in personal finances largely offset slight declines in... Read more »

Dillard’s announced its Q2 2015 earnings report on Thursday, with higher than expected results. Net sales rose 2.7% year over year to $1,513.8 million. Total revenue improved 2.5% from same period last year, reaching $1,550.8 million versus $1,512.9 in 2014. Merchandise same-store comparisons was up 1% from 2014. Categories that over performed were shoes, followed... Read more »

Nordstrom announced Thursday total net sales increased 9%, with comparable sales of $3.6 billion increasing 4.9 % over Q2 2014. Comparable sales increases by channel were: US stores up 0.8%, Nordstrom.com up 20%. Top performing merchandise categories were cosmetics and women’s apparel. Top performing regions were the Southwest and Southeast. Ending inventory increased 11% over... Read more »