Consumer Attitudes & Behavior

New York City -- Retailers lost $37.14 billion to theft last year, or 1.58% of retail sales, up from 1.44% in 2009, according to preliminary results of the National Retail Security Survey. The annual survey is conducted by the University of Florida for the National Retail Federation, with funding from ADT Commercial.

As in previous years, employee theft accounted for the largest (approximately 44%) portion of the losses. Shoplifting and organized retail crime was second, with 33%. Administrative errors, vendor fraud and unknown causes make up the rest.

The most recent iteration of a pricing study conducted by Credit Suisse shows Target was 4.7% more expensive on a basket of items in Chicago and Dallas compared with 4% the prior month. 

The monthly pricing survey Credit Suisse conducts at Walmart stores and various competitors in Chicago and Dallas market reveals the company continues to offer the lowest prices. That’s the good news for consumers; the bad news is Walmart, like every other company, is passing through increased product costs to shoppers.

Washington, D.C. -- A Friday report by Bloomberg said that the U.S. economy grew at a 1.9% pace in the first quarter, edging estimates of a 1.8% growth pace but marking the start of what policymakers project is a temporary slowdown in growth.

The revised rise in gross domestic product matches the median forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg News and follows a 3.1% gain in the prior quarter, according to Friday’s Commerce Department figures.

WASHINGTON — Walmart announced that, through its charitable arm the Walmart Foundation, it has launched a $25 million giving campaign aimed at filling the gaps created when schools close for the summer. Funding to more than 350 local nonprofit organizations will help expand nutrition, learning and employment services for elementary, middle and high school students throughout the 2011 summer months, the company reported.

Walmart said it would address the achievement gap between higher- and lower-income youth by focusing on three key areas:

New York City -- A report released Thursday by The Conference Board said that the rate of dismissal of CEOs in the S&P 500 due to disciplinary actions has increased in recent years, while 25% of boards of directors facing a chief executive succession have opted for an outside hire.

According to the 2011 CEO Succession Report, 51 CEOs in the S&P 500 left their post in 2010, making the rate of CEO succession approximately 10%, consistent with the average number of annual succession announcements from 2000 through 2009.

Union, N.J. -- Bed Bath & Beyond reported Wednesday that net income for the first quarter jumped 31% to $180.6 million, compared with $137.6 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue surged 10% to $2.11 billion, and same-store sales rose 7%. Results surpassed Wall Street expectations of $2.07 billion in revenue.

Bed Bath & Beyond has raised its outlook, now expecting full-year earnings to rise 15% to 20% over last year.
 

WASHINGTON — The vitality of consumer packaged goods companies is healthy again, according to a new report issued by the Grocery Manufacturers Association and PricewaterhouseCoopers on Wednesday.

In the June 9 edition of SiteTalk, we referenced a survey that found Fifth Avenue in Manhattan to be the most expensive place in the world to operate a store -- and asked you if it was worth the expense. Here is what one reader had to say.

NEW YORK — Private-label sales across all three major retail channels reached new highs in 2010, according the Private Label Manufacturers Association.