Consumer Attitudes & Behavior

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.”

New York City -- According to a special national consumer poll commissioned by the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs, 31% of households plan to shop on Black Friday in 2010 compared with 26% in 2009. However, the strongest driver of Black Friday shopping is children, as 43% of households with kids are planning to shop on that day. Additionally, 37% of households reported that they plan to shop on the Saturday or Sunday after Thanksgiving.

Chicago -- Better-than-expected response to early sales promotions mixed with relatively mild weather throughout the country are already driving holiday traffic to malls and retail outlets have caused ShopperTrak to up its 2010 holiday forecast.

Washington, D.C. -- After going head-to-head with discounted holiday gifts such as luxury cashmere sweaters and appliances last year, gift cards are expected to emerge as winners this holiday season. According to NRF’s 2010 Gift Card Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, conducted by BIGresearch, Americans will spend an average of $145.61 on gift cards, up from $139.91 last year. Total gift-card spending is expected to reach $24.78 billion.

By Bob Mason, [email protected]

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores reported Tuesday that profit for the quarter ended Oct. 31 rose 9.3% to $3.44 billion, compared with a profit of $3.15 billion in the year-ago quarter.

However, same-store sales in the United States declined as Wal-Mart’s shoppers remain under pressure in a weak economy. Same-store sales in the United States fell 1.3%, the sixth consecutive quarterly decline at the world’s largest retailer.

Net sales rose 2.6% to $101.2 billion.