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May 5, 2014 Walgreens posted April sales of $6.49 billion, an increase of 8.8% from $5.96 billion for the same month in fiscal 2013. Total front-end sales increased 8.8% in April compared with the same month in fiscal 2013, while same-store front-end sales increased 8.2%.  Customer traffic in comparable stores increased 2.6% while basket size... Read more »

May 2, 2014 Despite severe weather-related issues during the first quarter, CVS reported “solid results” across the enterprise and executives expressed optimism in achieving 2014 goals. “It is unusual to hear us talk about the impact of weather on our business.  Historically, it has been our practice to not blame the weather when we explain... Read more »

May 5, 2014 Last week: Perhaps the biggest news in this data-heavy week is the rebound in wage growth.  Factories and stores, idled by winter weather, were back in business in March.  The jobs report shows they continued to catch up in April.  But as The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index has been signaling for... Read more »

May 5, 2014 The Conference Board Employment Trends Index increased in April.  The index now stands at 118,000, up from 117.77 (an upward revision) in March.  This represents a 5.5 percent gain in the ETI compared to a year ago. “April’s increase in the Employment Trends Index, and continued improvement in recent months, is signaling... Read more »

May 2, 2014 The labor market remains surprisingly and resiliently strong, as evidenced by the gain of 288,000 new jobs created in April.  The gain this month was aided by some catch up – hiring that perhaps would have happened earlier if not for the widespread inclement weather.  But that is only one part of... Read more »

April 23, 2014 Many economic discussions – especially those following the Great Recession – have focused on the short-term or immediate economy, particularly in regard to the labor market. However, longer term issues regarding investments, hiring and other business decisions cannot be lost in our thinking about the economy and its direction.  While most of... Read more »

May 1, 2014 For 11 years now, the National Retail Federation has gauged consumers’ spending intentions on America’s favorite holidays like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Halloween and of course, Christmas. During that time, Halloween has grown to become one of the most popular holidays of the year, average spending on back-to-school items has increased 31 percent... Read more »

April 29, 2014 After splurging on tablets and smartphones, beauty supplies, apparel and jewelry for mom last year, consumers this year will celebrate Mother’s Day keeping practicality in mind.  According to NRF’s Mother’s Day Spending Survey, Americans will spend an average of $162.94 on mom this year, down from a survey high of $168.94 last... Read more »

May 1, 2014 Rite Aid posted $2 billion for the four weeks ended April 26, representing a lift of 4.9%.  Same-store sales increased 5% over the prior-year period. April front-end same-store sales increased 4.7%, with 4.6% of the increase attributable to a shift in the timing of Easter, which fell on April 20 this year,... Read more »