Consumer Attitudes & Behavior

DALLAS -- Tuesday Morning reported that net income for the quarter ended Dec. 31 was $17.3 million, compared with $18.5 million in the year-ago period.

Net sales decreased 3.6% to $279.3 million from $289.6 million. Same-store sales decreased 3.2%.

According to Kathleen Mason, president and CEO: "We anticipate that we will return to positive comparable sales for the remainder of the fiscal year.” Tuesday Morning reported four consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth prior to the second quarter.

WASHINGTON --The National Retail Federation announced that it welcomed the focus on job creation and the economy expected in President Obama’s State of the Union Address.

Washington, D.C. -- The Conference Board said Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence Index reached its highest level in eight months as Americans grew more optimistic about the job market.

The Index climbed to 60.6 this month, up from 53.3 in December. While that reading surpassed expectations, it still falls short of the 90 level that indicates a healthy consumer mindset.

The January figure was the highest since last May's 62.7, and hasn’t been above 90 since the recession began in December 2007.

Target has never claimed to have the lowest prices, but it might want to rethink that strategy now that it has the benefit of its REDcard loyalty program.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Walmart, the presenting sponsor of the America I AM: The African-American Imprint tour, will offer specially-priced tickets at select Walmart stores in the Washington, D.C. area.

Walmart is offering tickets at the lowest available price: $10 for adults and $5 for children, or 17% off standard ticket prices.

America I AM is a four-year touring museum exhibition that celebrates nearly 500 years of African-American contributions to this country.

LOS ANGELES — IBISWorld predicted Valentine's Day will boost retail sales in a new report.

The independent market and research firm said that consumers are expected to spend 5.8% more on Valentine’s Day purchases this year than last year, totaling $18.6 billion, or about $125 per person.

Big gains will be seen across all categories. Jewelry is expected to see an 11.3% boost, greeting cards and candy are projected to grow 4.9% and 5.1%, respectively, and clothing and lingerie should see a 3.4% rise.

Online sales soared to new heights this past holiday season even though major retailers had a tough time attracting traffic during December. For example, Target.com during December had 37.3 million unique visitors which sounds like a lot and was enough to earn it the 30th ranking on comScore’s top 50 Web properties report released this week.

North Plainfield, N.J. -- A survey released Friday by Levin Management Corp. said that he majority of shopping center tenants are optimistic about the year ahead.

According to the real estate firm’s pre- and post-holiday survey of Northeastern retailers, 61.5% of respondents were positive about 2011, and 52.2% of respondents said holiday sales topped or equaled 2009