Consumer Attitudes & Behavior

Washington, D.C. -- The monthly Global Port Tracker report, released Wednesday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates, said that import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to be down 6.8% in February from the same month a year ago. However, volumes should show year-over-year increases through most of the remaining first half of 2012.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot is hoping to appeal to working women with a new desk accessories line. The See Jane Work line includes mix-and-match organizational products starting at just $3.99.

Chicago -- A survey released Wednesday by WorkInRetail.com found that 45% of retail hiring managers are concerned that their top workers will leave the organization in 2012.

WorkInRetail.com, CareerBuilder’s job site for retail professionals, polled 247 retail hiring managers and 654 full-time retail employees in November and December 2011. The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive.

Waban, Mass. -- Research results released Tuesday by Temkin Group, which rates the customer experience of 206 large companies across 18 industries, showed that only eight companies deliver excellent customer experience: Sam's Club and Publix led the pack, followed by Starbucks, Subway, Chick-fil-A, Aldi, Winn-Dixie, H.E.B., and credit unions.

According to the 2012 Temkin Experience Ratings, in its second year, 76 companies (37% of the total) earned "poor" or "very poor" ratings.

Target was ranked 27th on the 2012 Harris Poll Reputation Quotient study behind five notable retailers and in roughly the same position with the same score as the prior year, the market research firm announced on Monday.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Tuesday by the Commerce Department showed that consumer spending on retail goods rebounded in January after a flat holiday season.

Retail sales rose at a seasonally adjusted 0.4% last month, as consumers upped spending at department and general merchandise stores, as well as bought more electronics, home and garden supplies and sporting goods. Excluding autos, building materials and fuel sales, retail spending leaped 0.7%.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — The NPD Group unveiled the top current favorite play items among children ages 14 years and younger.

After compiling 2,958 mentions, NPD revealed the top items included Lego, laptop, Nintendo Wii, toy cars, Xbox, books, video games, Nintendo DS, Barbie and iPod, while the top five product categories included toys (54%), video games (20%), consumer electronics (12%), sporting goods (5%) and books (3%).

LAS VEGAS — Supervalu on Monday announced that its new Essential Everyday private-label brand — to include more than 2,400 products by early 2013 — now is available in select independent retail locations.

“Early results have shown that Essential Everyday is performing very well at our 1,100 Supervalu-owned stores, and we believe that our independent retailers will see a positive customer response as well," stated Leon Bergmann, president of Supervalu's independent business.