Budgets/Spending/Market Size

New York — Shoppers opened up their wallets in early November, providing retailers with some early holiday cheer. Spending on apparel, jewelry and luxury goods showed strong increases from the same time a year ago, according to MasterCard Advisors' SpendingPulse, which includes transactions in all forms including cash.

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples reported Thursday that profit for the third quarter rose 7% as the office supply retailer clamped down on expenses. Net income increased to $288.7 million, from $269.4 million.

Revenue edged up to $6.54 billion from $6.52 billion. Analysts expected $6.53 billion.

Chesapeake, Va. -- Dollar Tree said Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 30 rose 37% to $93.2 million, from $68.2 million in the year-ago period.

Consolidated net sales for the third quarter were $1.43 billion, a 14.2% increase from $1.25 billion a year earlier. Same-store sales increased 8.7%.

During the third quarter, Dollar Tree opened 86 stores, expanded or relocated 27 stores, and closed two stores. The company currently operates 4,009 stores in 48 states.

Miami -- Retailers are continuing to invest in sustainability initiatives, even during tough economic times, according to a new report by RSR Research entitled "Lean and Green: Sustainable Practices Are Changing Retail, Benchmark 2010.”

Washington, D.C. -- A survey released Thursday by the National Retail Federation and conducted by BIGresearch found that up to 138 million people plan to shop Black Friday weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), surpassing the 134 million who planned to do so last year.

According to the NRF 2010 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, which polled 8,778 consumers, approximately 60 million people say they will definitely hit the stores while another 78 million are waiting to see if the bargains are worth braving the cold and the crowds.

York, Pa. -- ThThe Bon-Ton Stores reported Thursday that its loss for the third quarter widened to $6.3 million, compared with a loss of $4.2 million in the prior year.e Bon-Ton Stores reported Thursday that its loss for the third quarter widened to $6.3 million, compared with a loss of $4.2 million in the prior year.

Total revenue fell to $716.9 million from $722.6 million.
 

Albany, N.Y. -- Trans World Entertainment Corp. reported Thursday that it recorded a loss of $16.1 million in the third quarter, compared with a loss of $22.3 million a year earlier.

Total sales dropped 20% to $128.8 million. Same-store sales decreased 5%.

The company, which owns the f.y.e. (For Your Entertainment) chain of music stores, operated an average of 533 stores during the quarter, compared with 694 in the same quarter last year, a 23% decline.

 

New York City -- New York & Co. said Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 30 was $1.9 million, compared with a per-share loss 11 cents in the year-ago period.

Net sales were $238.2 million in the quarter, up from $227.9 million a year earlier. Same-store sales rose 3.6%.

New York & Co. currently operates 579 stores in 43 states.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 30 was $4.3 million, compared with net income of $3.2 million a year earlier.

Net sales were $267.9 million, a decrease of 0.9% from $270.2 million in 2009. Same-store sales increased 0.3% for the quarter.