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July 30, 2014 Same-store sales continue to decelerate at Whole Foods as the nation’s leading natural and organic grocer continues to face traffic and ticket pressures caused by upstart rivals and established competitors. Whole Foods sales in the second quarter ended July 6 increased 10% to nearly $3.4 billion from $3 billion the prior year... Read more »

August 5, 2014 Just a few days after naming a new CEO, Target issued a preliminary update on its second quarter expenses related, in part, to the December 2013 data breach. The company’s financial results are expected to include gross expenses of $148 million, partially offset by a $38 million insurance receivable, related to the... Read more »

August 1, 2014 New Orders, Employment and Production Growing; Inventories Growing; Supplier Deliveries Slowing Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in July for the 14th consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 62nd consecutive month, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report on Business. The report was issued... Read more »

July 30, 2014 Following a strong June increase of 155,900, July showed a small loss States were mixed with about half showing small gains Online advertised vacancies showed a small drop of 15,500 to 5,044,600 in July, according to The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine Data Services.  The June Supply/Demand rate stands at 1.9 unemployed... Read more »

August 4, 2014 Each $1,000 increase in the cost of a new median-priced home price forces 206,000 prospective buyers out of the marketplace, according to a new study by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The number of households affected varies across states and metro areas and largely depends on their population, income distribution... Read more »

August 4, 2014 The Conference Board Employment Trends Index (ETI) increased in July.  The index now stands at 120.31, up from 119.92 (an upward revision) in June.  This represents a 6.6 percent gain in the ETI compared to a year ago. “The six-month growth rate in the Employment Trends Index is the strongest in over... Read more »

August 1, 2014 The National Retail Federation calculated retail industry (excluding autos and gasoline) employment increased by 27,000 jobs in July.  NRF calculated that retail gained 232,000 jobs year-over-year.  The healthy and steady increase in retail employment was due to improved economic and seasonal factors in the second quarter and should provide for stronger growth in... Read more »

August 1, 2014 The economy generated a gain of 209,000 jobs in July, very close to the average of more than 200,000 per month over the past year.  This means that the trend in employment growth, which supported stellar second quarter GDP growth and strong consumer and business confidence, is holding up for now.  The... Read more »

August 1, 2014 At first glance the list of the nation’s fastest growing retailers appears to be more of a hodgepodge of industry sectors than evidence of a single, defined trend.  From grocery conglomerates and discount specialty stores to home furnishing and athletic wear companies, the top players on STORES’ Hot 100 Retailers List run... Read more »