Consumer Affairs & Relations

Ross Stores didn’t let a surprisingly strong third quarter comp increase go to its head and maintained a cautious view of consumer spending.

Sales at the company increased 8% to nearly $2.6 billion and same store sales increased 4%. Net income increased to $193 million, or 93 cents a share, from $172 million, or 80 cents a share.

Columbus, Ohio – L Brands Inc. beat Wall Street projections with net income of $131.8 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2014, up 43% from $91.99 million the same period the prior fiscal year. A boost in pretax income helped drive L Brands’ impressive profit growth.   Net sales rose 7% to $2.32 billion from $2.17 billion, and same-store sales increased 5%. 

Walmart customers shopping for a traditional Thanksgiving meal can plan a 10-person dinner for $32.64, or 34 percent less than average, according to the nation’s largest farm group.

Seattle - Colliers International released the highlights of its latest global retail report – examining 125 retail real estate markets in 50 countries – and found that luxury retail continues to show strong growth in the top global markets and prime cities in Asia.   

Never underestimate the creativity of unscrupulous customers is the key takeaway for all retailers following Walmart’s effort to implement a liberal price match policy this week.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. – Dollar Tree Inc. beat Wall Street predictions for profits and sales in a generally strong third quarter of fiscal 2014. Net income rose 6% to $133 million from $125.4 million.   Consolidated net sales increased 11% to $2.1 billion from $1.88 billion and consolidated same-store sales increased 5.9%.

Lowe’s said its third quarter same store sales spiked 5.1% a day after Home Depot reported an even stronger increase.

Total company sales increased 5.6% to $13.7 billion driven by increased productivity of existing stores as evidenced by a 5.1% comp increase. Home Depot said its third quarter same store sales increased 5.8%. Lowe’s profits increased 17.3% to $585 million while earnings per share increased 25.5% to 59 cents and were aided by $900 million in share repurchase activity.

CINCINNATI - Americans are divided on the merits of shopping on Thanksgiving Day.  The latest LoyaltyOne research shows there are three kinds of American Thanksgiving Day shoppers:  50% who say all-day shopping hours on Thanksgiving Day are a bad idea; 33% who say stores being open all day Thanksgiving is a great idea that provides more time for holiday gift shopping and 17% who can’t make up their mind.