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May 19, 2014 Last week:  In a data heavy week, it’s hard to imagine that the big news of the week came from the financial markets.  And, it was driven not by domestic considerations but what is happening overseas.  The backdrop is the continuing tapering by the Federal Reserve.  Where it once bought $85 billion... Read more »

May 16, 2014 While other retailers saw sales affected by a winter that overstayed its welcome, Dillard’s marked its 15th consecutive quarter of positive sales. Despite weak sales in home and furniture, Dillard’s said sales trends in the first quarter were strongest in the men’s apparel and accessories category and the junior’s and children’s apparel... Read more »

May 16, 2014 Nordstrom’s full line stores saw first quarter same store sales decline but the department store operator’s off price Rack division is doing just fine. Total sales increased 6.8% to $2.8 billion with top-performing categories including accessories, women’s shoes, and cosmetics.  A 3.9% overall same store sales increase was comprised of a 1.9%... Read more »

May 15, 2014 Kohl’s joins a growing list of retailers whose first quarter results took a hit from a severe and extended winter.  Despite missing estimates, the company is staying firm on its guidance for the full fiscal year. The company reported net sales for the quarter of $4.07 billion, a 3.1% decrease from $4.2... Read more »

May 15, 2014 Walmart continues to envision flat same store sales at its U.S. stores after reporting weaker than expected profits on weak U.S. sales results that were negatively affected by a winter that wouldn’t end. Net income declined 5% to $3.6 billion and earnings per share of $1.10 were five cents below analysts’ expectations... Read more »

May 15, 2014 Things took a wacky turn in the retail world this week as JCPenney reported a 6.2% same store sales increase and a huge gross margin expansion while Macy’s, Kohl’s and Walmart stumbled. JCPenney still lost money, lots of it, during the quarter ended May 3, but total sales increased 6% to $2.8... Read more »

May 14, 2014 Sears Holdings plans to hire an investment banking firm to explore strategic alternatives regarding its 51% ownership stake in Sears Canada. The strategic alternatives are said to include the potential sale of Sears Holdings’ interest or Sears Canada as a whole, according to a statement by the Hoffman Estates, Illinois-based company.  In... Read more »

May 16, 2014 Soaring production of multifamily apartments pushed nationwide housing starts above the million-unit mark in April, according to newly released figures from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.  Total housing production rose 13.2 percent for the month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.07 million... Read more »

May 14, 2014 The nation’s leading department store retailer overcame weak first quarter sales to muster a 3.2% profit improvement and expressed confidence in its performance the remainder of the year. The company’s first quarter earnings per share of 60 cents was a penny better than analysts forecast and a 9% improvement from prior year... Read more »