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Fred’s Optimistic About New Marketing Program
13 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
June 5, 2014 Although comparable-store sales at Fred’s declined slightly in May, the company said sales strengthened in the last week of the month thanks to the first ad in its new marketing and branding program, designed to increase traffic and heighten customer awareness of category diversity. The company’s total sales for the month stayed... Read more »
U.S. Retail Sales In May Climb 5%
13 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
June 6, 2014 U.S. retailers reported 5% year-over-year growth in general merchandise, apparel, furniture and other (GAFO) retail sales. Shoppers made fewer trips to the store than expected, but were very engaged and showed a lot of intent to buy. Retailers also reported 7% growth year-over-year in clothing and apparel sales and 2% growth year-over-year... Read more »
Ascena Retail Group’s Profit Climbs Despite Challenging Q3
13 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
June 4, 2014 Ascena Retail Group president and CEO David Jaffe said sales in the third quarter were challenging, and despite comparable sales declines at Justice and Dressbarn, new store growth at Justice and Maurices, along with higher comparable sales at Lane Bryant, Maurices and Catherines bolstered the company’s overall results. The company’s third quarter... Read more »
Hudson’s Bay Company’s Saks Acquisition Pays Off In First Quarter
13 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
June 3, 2014 Hudson’s Bay Company more than doubled sales in the first quarter driven primarily by its acquisition of Saks last year. Retail sales were $1.9 billion, an increase of $971 million from $884 million for the prior year. Consolidated same-store sales increased by 2.8%, with increases of 2.5% at DSG, 2.6% at Saks... Read more »
Big Lots First Quarter Same Store Sales Increase
13 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
May 30, 2014 Exiting Canada may have taken a bite out of Big Lots’ profits in the first quarter, but the company still saw net and comparable store sales increase. Net sales for the quarter increased 1.1% to $1.28 billion, compared to net sales from continuing U.S. operations of $1.26 billion for the same period... Read more »
Leading Markets Index Shows 56 Metros At Or Above Normal Levels
12 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
June 5, 2014 Of the approximately 350 metro markets nationwide, 56 returned to or exceeded their last normal levels of economic and housing activity, according to the National Association of Home Builders/First American Leading Markets Index (LMI), released today. This represents a net gain of nine metros year over year. The index’s nationwide score of... Read more »
Economic Highlights For The Week Ahead – June 11
12 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
June 11, 2014 Last week: The U.S. economy generated almost 200,000 new jobs in May, continuing a trend that is now more than a year old. Indeed, consistently generating that many new jobs is slowly beginning to encourage some discouraged workers to start looking again. As these developments continue, there will be less slack in... Read more »
Consumers Spending Outlook Brightens In May
12 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
June 11, 2014 Consumer spending in May increased 4.2%, with the retail sector enjoying new vigor. The spending increase of 4.2% compared to 4.1% in April. Retail spending growth of 1.7% marked a slight uptick compared to April’s growth of 1.3% as warmer weather across most regions, with the exception of the Northeast, supported retail... Read more »
The Conference Board Employment Trends Index Increased In May
10 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
June 9, 2014 The Conference Board Employment Trends Index (ETI) increased in May. The index now stands at 118.58, up from 117.32 (a downward revision) in April. This represents a 5.4 percent gain in the ETI compared to a year ago. “The Employment Trends Index continues to signal solid job growth with an improvement in... Read more »