Research Topic

UPS: 1 in 3 Canadian consumers will shop Black Friday, Cyber Monday
Mississauga, Canada -- Canadian shoppers are off to an earlier start with holiday shopping. UPS Canada's annual Black Friday survey conducted by Leger shows that one-third of Canadians plan to take advantage of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. The findings forecast that 20% of Canadian consumers will travel to the U.S. to shop for Black Friday deals and 32% of Canadian consumers will make online Cyber Monday purchases from U.S. retailers.
Home Depot and Lowe's: buzzkill for environmentalists?
Environmental advocates and building industry pros have long circled each other in conflict and cooperation, but it seems that there's a loud and growing faction of activists putting a relatively new issue on the map.

That's because bees are dying -- suddenly, and often at once, numbering in the millions -- a troubling effect known as Colony Collapse Disorder that has been linked to the use of neonicotinoids, a type of insecticide that can be found on Lowe's and Home Depot shelves nationwide.

Retail sales rise ahead of holiday shopping

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. retail sales edged up in October, according to a report released by the Commerce Department, evidence that recent job gains and lower gas prices are lifting consumer spending as the holiday shopping season begins. Retail sales rose 0.3% last month after falling by the same amount in September. Excluding gas stations, where falling prices lowered spending, sales rose a solid 0.5%.
Survey: Retailers gear up for early shopping and stepped-up seasonal hiring

North Plainfield, Ill. -- With momentum picking up as the holiday shopping season approaches, retailers polled in Levin Management’s 2014 Pre-Holiday Retail Sentiment Survey are showing strong enthusiasm for seasonal sales potential. The findings also indicate expectations for strong pre-December shopping and plans for stepped-up temporary hiring with positions that may carry into the new year.
Wal-Mart workers plan to protest on Black Friday

Bentonville, Ark. -- For the third consecutive year, Wal-Mart workers at about 1,600 stores are prepping to protest on Black Friday to demand better wages and benefits. According to pressure group OUR Walmart, the protestors are demanding a $15/hour wage and consistent full-time hours.
Survey: Consumers want Black Friday apps

New York –- There is a high demand among consumers for mobile apps that would make the Black Friday shopping experience easier. According to data from Verizon, 80% of consumers say knowing where to get the best Black Friday deals would make their experience easier.
Lord & Taylor unveils 2014 holiday window

New York -- Entertainer Nick Jonas joined Lord & Taylor/Hudson’s Bay president Liz Rodbell for the unveiling of the department store’s annual holiday windows on NYC’s Fifth Avenue on Thursday, marking the 100th anniversary of the retailer’s holiday window program.
Dillard's posts increased profit in 3Q, sales dwindle

Little Rock, Ark. -- Dillard's Inc. reported Thursday a profit of $55.2 million in its fiscal third quarter, up 8.4% over the $50.9 million profit in the same period last year. Sales, however, dipped to $1.460 billion, from $1.469 billion, and same-stores sales declined 1%. Still, said CEO William T. Dillard II, "We believe we are positioned very well for the holiday season.”
Study: Holiday shipping costs and online security top of mind for shoppers

New York -- A 2014 Kelly Scott Madison Holiday Shopping Study revealed that the top concerns for consumers this holiday season are shipping costs and online security, as 71% of respondents ranked both as top-of-mind. Other findings focused on timing and returns:
NRF: Holiday shoppers to spend $31 billion on gift cards

Washington, D.C. –- During the 2014 holiday season, spending on tiny plastic or digital gift cards will top all previous records. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF) Gift Card Spending Survey, the average person buying gift cards will spend $172.74, up from $163.16 in 2013. Total spending is expected to reach $31.74 billion.
Friday Halloween spurred early holiday spending

Atlanta -- This year, a Halloween that fell on Friday helped boost spending growth in October, according to the monthly SpendTrend report from First Data Corp.
Kohl's profit slides 20% on weak same-store sales

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Corp. reported a 20% decline in 3Q profit, missing Wall Street estimates, as the retailer continues to be challenged by drops in store traffic and weak sales.