Resources

November, 2014 The biggest shopping weekend of the year is only days away and retailers are gearing up for another Thanksgiving weekend of holiday shopping and promotions. Since the recession, retailers competing for shopping dollars and market share have had to rethink tried-and-true holiday marketing strategies.  Good prices, great value, unique product assortment and convenience... Read more »

November 19, 2014 Single family housing production in October reached its highest level since November 2013 while the more volatile multifamily sector brought combined nationwide starts activity down 2.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.009 million units, according to newly released figures from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and... Read more »

November 20, 2014 The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for the U.S. increased 0.9 percent in October to 105.2, following a 0.7 percent increase in September, and no change in August. “The LEI rose sharply in October, with all components gaining over the previous six months,” said Ataman Ozyildirim, Economist at The Conference Board.  “Despite... Read more »

November 20, 2014 Americans are readying for the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend by making sure they have a menu for their family gathering and a complete shopping list for their weekend shopping activities.  According to NRF’s Thanksgiving Weekend Expectations survey, which provides a preliminary look at shopping expectations over Thanksgiving weekend, six in 10 (61.1%) say... Read more »

November 14, 2014 New stores, 3.9% same store sales growth and increased loyalty propelled Nordstrom to record third quarter sales. The company’s total sales increased 8.9% to $3 billion thanks to the addition of new stores and a 3.9% same store sales increase that was driven by online growth.  Profits increased 3.6% to $142 million... Read more »

November 14, 2014 October’s retail sales report helps strengthen the National Retail Federation’s holiday expectations for sales growth of 4.1 percent, and offers an optimistic look ahead for the busiest consumer spending time of the year.  According to NRF, October retail sales, excluding autos, gas and restaurants, grew a healthy 0.7 percent month-to-month seasonally adjusted... Read more »

November 18, 2014 Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes rose four points to a level of 58 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released today. “Growing confidence among consumers is what’s fueling this optimism among builders,” said NAHB Chairman Kevin Kelly, a home builder and... Read more »

November 13, 2014 The growth in gift card popularity is irrefutable, and this holiday season spending on tiny plastic or digital gift cards will top all previous records.  According to NRF’s Gift Card Spending Survey, the average person buying gift cards will spend $172.74, up from $163 last year.  Total spending is expected to reach... Read more »

November 19, 2014 Lowe’s said its third quarter same store sales spiked 5.1% a day after Home Depot reported an even stronger increase. Total company sales increased 5.6% to $13.7 billion driven by increased productivity of existing stores as evidenced by a 5.1% comp increase.  Home Depot said its third quarter same store sales increased... Read more »