Resources

My team has the opportunity to spend a significant amount of time in various retailer portals downloading store lists, POS data and other files as part of the work we do for our customers.   We routinely encounter errors with the portals and in particular during peak times like early morning.   When prospective customers ask me... Read more »

March 13, 2014 Consumer spending on retail sales rose a healthy 0.3 percent in February, despite widespread inclement weather.  This good result essentially offsets the declines registered in January.  The core retail sales measure that excludes autos, building materials and gasoline also advanced a solid 0.3 percent supporting consumer spending in Q1.  Online store sales... Read more »

March 18, 2014 Nationwide housing starts were virtually unchanged in February, inching down 0.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 907,000 units, according to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Census Bureau. “Continuing the January trend and in line with our recent surveys, builders are... Read more »

March 7, 2014 The economy generated a gain of 175,000 jobs in February.  Whether that is enough to dissipate uncertainty about where the economy is headed this year remains the big question.  Even though the number of workers unable to report to work due to inclement weather increased strongly, and average weekly hours declined, the... Read more »

March 17, 2014 Builder confidence in the market for newly-built, single-family homes rose one point to 47 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released today. “The March HMI mirrors last month’s sentiment, as builders continued to be affected by poor weather and difficulties in finding lots and labor,” said... Read more »

March 10, 2014 The Conference Board Employment Trends Index (ETI) increased in February.  The Index now stands at 116.39, up from 115.99 (a downward revision) in January.  This represents a 4.4 percent gain in the ETI compared to a year ago. “February’s job report and the ongoing improvement in the Employment Trends Index should provide... Read more »

March 13, 2014 Many retailers have pointed to a persistent and severe winter for weak holiday and fourth-quarter sales.  But according to the National Retail Federation (NRF), retail sales rebounded in February. The NRF said that February retail sales, excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, increased 0.2% adjusted month-to-month and 2.3% year-over-year. “Today’s positive retail... Read more »

March 13, 2014 An unrelenting Dollar General continues to push forward with plans to open 700 stores this year despite reporting weak financial results and a 1.3% same-store sales increase for the fourth quarter. Sales during Dollar General’s fourth quarter ended December 31, increased 6.8% to nearly $4.5 billion and were driven mainly by the... Read more »

March 6, 2014 Albertsons plans to acquire Safeway for $32 a share in a deal valued at roughly $9 billion that will create a supermarket chain with roughly 2,400 locations to rival market leader Kroger. The deal announced late Thursday ended longrunning speculation regarding the potential acquisition of Safeway. “This transaction offers us the opportunity... Read more »