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U.S. Workers More Satisfied? Just Barely.
18 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
June 18, 2014 Americans have the highest job satisfaction levels since the beginning of the Great Recession, according to a report released today by The Conference Board. The majority, however, continue to be unhappy at work. The report, based on a Fall 2013 survey of 5,000 U.S. households conducted for The Conference Board by The... Read more »
Housing Production Falls 6.5 Percent In May
17 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
June 17, 2014 Declines in both single and multifamily starts pushed nationwide housing production down 6.5 percent in May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of just over 1 million units, according to newly released figures from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. However, single-family permits, which can... Read more »
Builder Confidence Rises Four Points In June
16 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
June 16, 2014 Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes rose four points in June to reach a level of 49 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. It remains one point shy of the threshold for what is considered good building conditions. “After several... Read more »
Unseasonably Cold Weather Delivers Challenging Q1 To Sears Hometown
16 Jun, 2014 • Helen Thomas
June 6, 2014 Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores CEO and president Bruce Johnson cited weather and promotions as factors affecting the retailer’s first quarter results. Net sales in the quarter decreased 1.9% to $589.9 million from $601.1 million in the first quarter of 2013, driven primarily by a 6.2% decrease in same-store sales. Lower initial... Read more »
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 »