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April 14, 2014 Warmer spring weather spurred continued consumer spending and activity this March.  According to the National Retail Federation, March retail sales, which exclude automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, increased 0.8% adjusted month-to-month and 1.6% unadjusted year-over-year. “Consumers shed their winter coats last month for fresh, spring merchandise,” NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay... Read more »

April 10, 2014 In the wake of acquiring Houston-based RediClinic, Rite Aid reported revenues of $6.6 billion for the fourth quarter ended March 1, resulting from a 2.2% lift primarily attributed to an increase in pharmacy same-store sales. For the full year, Rite Aid reported $25.5 billion in revenues, up 0.5%. For the quarter, the... Read more »

April 10, 2014 Family Dollar plans to close 370 underperforming stores, cut jobs and lower prices on 1,000 basic items following a disappointing second quarter, which was adversely affected by the extra week in last year’s quarter, severe weather, holiday promotions and a challenging consumer environment. The company is also slowing its new store growth... Read more »

April 9, 2014 Average spending per person is forecast to decline this Easter, despite pent up demand from a long cold winter.   According to new consumer research from the National Retail Federation, fewer people will celebrate Easter this year and average spending per person will decline to $137 from $145 last year.  Total spending is expected to reach... Read more »

April 7, 2014 The Conference Board Employment Trends Index increased in March.  The index now stands at 117.52, up from 117.01 (an upward revision) in February.  This represents a 5.1 percent gain in the ETI compared to a year ago. “The increase in the Employment Trends Index in the first quarter is signaling solid job... Read more »

April 4, 2014 The economy generated a gain of 192,000 jobs in March.  Undoubtedly, there was some catch up in hiring following the inclement weather this winter.  Still, the underlying hiring trend is encouraging, with more good news expected this spring and summer.  This confirms the signals from The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index and... Read more »

April 7, 2014 Of the approximately 350 metro markets nationwide, 59 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 11 metros year over year. The index’s nationwide score ticked... Read more »

April 1, 2014 In a move to increase traffic and grow sales, Family Dollar said it added 400 products to its food offerings and reduced prices on 1,000 other items. As part of the rollout, the operator of more than 8,100 stores enlisted the aid of television personality, author and chef Pat Neely.  Plans call... Read more »

April 1, 2014 New Orders, Employment and Production Growing, Inventories Growing, Supplier Deliveries Slowing Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in March for the 10th consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 58th consecutive month, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.  The report was issued... Read more »