Hardlines

12/21/2010 - 13:14
'Super Saturday' retail sales increase 15.1% compared with 2009

Boosted by a very weak comparison period, ShopperTrak’s National Retail Sales Estimate (NRSE) reported that total GAFO retail sales for the last Saturday before Christmas (12/18), or Super Saturday, increased a sharp 15.1% compared with last year, while the company’s retail traffic index (SRTI) reported a similar 10.1% total U.S. foot traffic uptick for the same period.

12/21/2010 - 11:41
Target announces after Christmas deals

Target announced that it is offering free shipping on thousands of Target.com purchases and announces extended store hours on Dec. 26.

12/21/2010 - 11:17
Let it ride: CarMax posts 16% 3Q comp

American consumers had more than holiday shopping on their mind during the third quarter as evidenced by record sales results from CarMax. The nation’s largest seller of used cars with 103 superstores nationwide said its same-store sales increased 16% during then third quarter ended November 30. Total sales increased by 23% to slightly more than $2.1 billion and earnings per share of 36 cents were two cents better than analysts forecast.

12/20/2010 - 13:17
Consumers vote Walmart gift cards “most wanted” for Christmas

Wal-Mart Stores said Monday that a recent poll of consumers voted Walmart the No. 1 preferred gift card that consumers most want for Christmas.

12/20/2010 - 13:04
SpendingPulse report: Positive retail sales momentum holds steady

A report released Monday by MasterCard Advisors said that retail sales through the second week of December generally continued November’s momentum, with several sectors recording moderate to strong gains.

12/20/2010 - 13:01
SpendTrend report: Card spending moderated in early December

First Data Corp.’s SpendTrend report, which tracks same-store consumer spending via credit, signature debit, PIN debit and EBT cards, found that in early December, year-over-year dollar volume growth was 6.6%, a decrease from November’s strong growth of 8.1%.

12/17/2010 - 14:13
Industry groups applaud tax cut package

The National Retail Federation and the Retail Industry Leaders Association both issued statements supporting the final passage of a bipartisan agreement for extending critical individual and business taxes.

12/17/2010 - 13:23
Staples names final members to its Small Business Hall of Fame

Staples and the Chicago Bears have announced that McHenry-based Frost Dental Lab and M&M Custom Flooring of New Lenox are the final “enshrinees” to be named to the Staples Small Business Hall of Fame. These Chicagoland small businesses join previous winners Markatay Inc. and Tasty Catering to make up the Staples Small Business Hall of Fame Class of 2010.

12/16/2010 - 16:59
Kmart lowers toy prices to lure last-minute shoppers

Kmart announced it will offer last-minute holiday shoppers reduced prices on more than 1,400 must-have toys to help shoppers finish their Christmas lists. In addition to extended store hours, Kmart will offer special deals on toys starting today through Dec. 24.

12/16/2010 - 15:39
The hidden risk of imports

No matter what the politicians in Washington are saying, the United States is married to China. And, this relationship has been nearly 40 years in the making. Ever since Nixon visited China, the United States has become more and more reliant upon low-cost Chinese goods. Indeed, according to The United States Trade Representative, the United States imported nearly $300 billion worth of goods from China in 2009 alone. To the extent an economic recovery in the United States depends on consumers spending at retail, the ability of U.S. importers and retailers to secure financing with respect to goods manufactured and exported from China is of critical importance.