Content about Gasoline and diesel usage and pricing

June 21, 2012

The purchasing power of Walmart shoppers is on the rise as gas prices come down and the improved spending outlook has the company’s share price setting new highs. What’s there to worry about?

Plenty, according to a survey of top executives conducted by the Business Roundtable, an organization that represents companies who combined employ more than 14 million people and generate $6 trillion in annual sales. Member companies include the likes of Walmart, General Electric, AT&T, ExxonMobil and American Express.

March 28, 2012

Family Dollar delivers another strong quarter

Rising gas prices and a cautious consumer environment continues to benefit the dollar store, with Family Dollar being the latest example.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Rising gas prices and a cautious consumer environment continues to benefit the dollar store, with Family Dollar being the latest example. The company reported that net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2012, ended Feb. 25, increased 10.7% to $136.4 million compared with net income of $123.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2011. Net income per diluted share for the quarter increased 17.3% to $1.15 compared with 98 cents for the second quarter of fiscal 2011.

March 23, 2012

Rising gas prices and the great traffic debate

Surging gas prices this spring could jeopardize Walmart’s tenuous same-store sales recovery as consumers have less disposable income and opt to shop at outlets closer to home. At least that was how the situation played out in the recent past when gas prices surged above $4. Are things different now?

March 16, 2012

Consumer sentiment slips as gas prices rise

Though rising gas prices put a damper on consumer sentiment in March, Americans are no longer shocked by $4 gasoline.

NEW YORK — Though rising gas prices put a damper on consumer sentiment in March, Americans are no longer shocked by $4 gasoline.

The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan's preliminary reading on the overall index on consumer sentiment slipped to 74.3 from 75.3 in February, contrary to economists' forecasts for a gain to 76.0.

Despite this dip, consumers are confident the employment situation will improve.

December 1, 2011

Costco comps up 6% at U.S. clubs

The nation’s leading warehouse club operator maintained its momentum in November by posting a 6% increase in same-store sales at U.S. clubs excluding the beneficial effect of higher year-over-year gas prices.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — The nation’s leading warehouse club operator maintained its momentum in November by posting a 6% increase in same-store sales at U.S. clubs excluding the beneficial effect of higher year-over-year gas prices.

August 18, 2011

Year-end positive comp goal seems doable

Blend equal parts easy prior year comparisons, the recent easing of gas prices with the pass through of product inflation , and Walmart could be looking at the recipe for same-store sales growth.

Blend equal parts easy prior year comparisons, the recent easing of gas prices with the pass through of product inflation , and Walmart could be looking at the recipe for same-store sales growth. If not in the third quarter, then certainly by the fourth quarter, which is the line in the sand the company has drawn for its U.S. business.

August 4, 2011

Club comps strong again

Costco and BJ’s Wholesale Club continue to produce solid sales growth aided by high gas prices, shoppers desire to save money and their ability to pass through food price inflations.

June 30, 2011

U.S. Consumer confidence reaches 10-week high

A report released Thursday by Bloomberg said that consumer confidence reached its highest level in 10 weeks, thanks to falling gas prices and despite a 9.1% unemployment rate.

WASHINGTON — A report released Thursday by Bloomberg said that consumer confidence reached its highest level in 10 weeks, thanks to falling gas prices and despite a 9.1% unemployment rate.

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index increased to minus 43.9 for the period ended June 26, after dropping to minus 44.9 the prior week. According to the report, falling fuel costs are reducing consumer stress.

June 29, 2011

Walmart pumps out the fuel savings

Walmart announced that it will offer customers savings of 10 cents a gallon on all fuel, gas and diesel at participating Murphy USA and Walmart gas stations.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that it will offer customers savings of 10 cents a gallon on all fuel, gas and diesel at participating Murphy USA and Walmart gas stations. The reduction is part of a 90-day Rollback program.

June 2, 2011

Warehouse clubs deliver big comps in May

Costco Wholesale and BJ’s Wholesale reported strong sales growth and produced impressive comps even without the benefit of fuel sales.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. and WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — Costco Wholesale and BJ’s Wholesale reported strong sales growth and produced impressive comps even without the benefit of fuel sales.

Costco reported that net sales for the month of May increased 17% to $7.14 billion from $6.09 billion last year. This year’s May results period included sales from the company's Mexico joint venture. If these sales are excluded, Costco’s net sales increase would have been 14%.

May 31, 2011

Confidence up in April

Consumers grew more confident in April amid job gains and slightly declining gas prices. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan final index of consumer sentiment increased to a three-month high of 74.3 from 69.8 in April.

NEW YORK — Consumers grew more confident in April amid job gains and slightly declining gas prices. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan final index of consumer sentiment increased to a three-month high of 74.3 from 69.8 in April.

Economists polled by Reuters had expected the index to be unchanged from the preliminary figure. At the same time, income expectations remained at low levels.

May 31, 2011

Dad gets his due this Father’s Day

Ongoing economic challenges and high gas prices won’t put a dent in shoppers spending intentions this Father’s Day, according to new research from the National Retail Federation.

WASHINGTON — Ongoing economic challenges and high gas prices won’t put a dent in shoppers spending intentions this Father’s Day, according to new research from the National Retail Federation.

May 23, 2011

Gas prices put pressure on consumers

An Associated Press/GfK poll released Friday determined that rising gas prices will cause “serious” hardship for as much as 41% of Americans.

WASHINGTON — An Associated Press/GfK poll released Friday determined that rising gas prices will cause “serious” hardship for as much as 41% of Americans.

Almost 3-in-4 adults acknowledged that $4 per gallon or more at the pump will at least cause some hardship.

May 12, 2011

Census Bureau: Retail sales rise for 10th straight month

U.S. retail sales rose for the 10th consecutive month in April, increasing 0.5% to $389.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Thursday.

WASHINGTON — U.S. retail sales rose for the 10th consecutive month in April, increasing 0.5% to $389.4 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Thursday.

The government agency also disclosed retail sales experienced a 7.6% jump above the year-ago period. Across retail sectors, grocery stores during April rose 1.5% to nearly $45.9 million, up from $45.3 million in March, while health and personal care stores, which have experienced positive numbers over the past several months, saw a surprise drop of 0.3% to nearly $22.7 million for the month.

May 9, 2011

With Easter out of the way its back to single-digit comps

Projections calling for a low-to-mid single-digit comp increase at Target during May don’t sound overly aggressive, but when factoring in some of the economic headwinds and uncertainties facing the U.S. economy, the sales plan begins to sound more ambitious.

Consumers are dealing with higher fuel prices, food inflation and lingering unemployment. Where $4 a gallon gas prices are headed next is big unknown, but it is only May and historically prices increase during the summer. Ouch!

May 5, 2011

Warehouse clubs winners in April

Customers shopped at Costco and BJ’s more often in April as they looked to save money on food and gas, according to results the company’s reported Thursday.

NEW YORK — Customers shopped at Costco and BJ’s more often in April as they looked to save money on food and gas, according to results the company’s reported Thursday. Both companies generated same-store sales growth that exceeded analysts’ estimates due in part to an ability to pass through food price inflation to customers.

April 27, 2011

Consumer confidence up despite rising gas prices

Consumer confidence recovered somewhat in April, though the impact of rising gasoline prices is still evident, according to data released Tuesday by the Conference Board.

NEW YORK -- Consumer confidence recovered somewhat in April, though the impact of rising gasoline prices is still evident, according to data released Tuesday by the Conference Board.

The confidence index hit 65.4 in April, from an upwardly revised 63.8 in March. The reading is still below the 72.0 mark of February.

April 13, 2011

Retail sales up slightly as consumers take advantage of spring deals

Retail sales increased 0.4% last month, the Commerce Department said Wednesday, buoyed by rising gasoline revenue.

WASHINGTON – Retail sales increased 0.4% last month, the Commerce Department said Wednesday, buoyed by rising gasoline revenue. The gain in March, the ninth consecutive monthly increase, was the smallest since the string began last summer.

The increase shrank to a 0.1% when sales at gasoline stations were excluded. However, the biggest decline in auto sales in more than a year also pulled down overall sales. When taking out sales at gas station and of autos, retail sales rose 0.6%.

March 17, 2011

Gas prices tick up, consumer spending goes down

Any hope that consumer spending will improve may be dampered by predictions of rising gas prices.

NEW YORK — Any hope that consumer spending will improve may be dampered by predictions of rising gas prices.

Nielsen predicts that in the United States, Nielsen noted, households could be paying an extra $52.50 with a 50-cent increase in gas prices, $105 with a $1 increase and $210 if prices jump up $2, prompting consumers to tighten their wallets. This will mirror historic trends, which include increased trip compression, more value-conscious shopping alternatives and increased use of coupons, Nielsen said.

March 3, 2011

Inflation, higher fuel prices to drive 2011 grocer gains

Kroger on Thursday beat analysts’ quarterly consensus, posting 46 cents in earnings per share (adjusted for a goodwill impairment charge) that exceeded consensus by 2 cents EPS with higher-than-expected identical-store sales lift of 3.8% (excluding fuel).

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Thursday beat analysts’ quarterly consensus, posting 46 cents in earnings per share (adjusted for a goodwill impairment charge) that exceeded consensus by 2 cents EPS with higher-than-expected identical-store sales lift of 3.8% (excluding fuel).

Same-store sales were particularly strong across natural food, bakery and deli/meat, Kroger chairman and CEO David Dillion told analysts during a conference call. “We were particularly pleased by sales growth in our drug and merchandise departments,” Dillon said.

March 2, 2011

SpendingPulse: Retail sales up in February

Retail sales in February rose in most categories ranging from clothing to furniture, despite winter storms and rising gas prices, MasterCard Advisors' SpendingPulse, which tracks spending in all forms including cash.

NEW YORK -- Retail sales in February rose in most categories ranging from clothing to furniture, despite winter storms and rising gas prices, according to MasterCard Advisors' SpendingPulse, which tracks spending in all forms including cash. While the increase maintains the positive performance that began in fall 2010. However, February’s year-over-year growth rates were smaller in most categories than those recorded in the November 2010 through January 2011 period.

December 1, 2010

Costco’s comp looks good

The holiday season got off to a solid start at Costco in November, as...