Research Topic

Washington, D.C. -- Retail sales (excluding automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) will increase 4.1% in 2015, up from 3.5% in 2014, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2015 economic forecast. The increase would mark the biggest annual growth since 2011 when retail sales for the year increased 5.1%. Non-store sales in 2015 are expected to grow between 7% and 10%.

Hhgregg is taking a different approach to President’s Day promotions this year by focusing on the ladies –- the First Ladies, that is.

Phoenix – The $8.7 billion private equity acquisition of PetSmart Inc. that was announced in December 2014 is one step closer to fruition. Argos Merger is providing a $1.9 billion senior note unsecured offering to finance the purchase.

New York -- Retail sales fell 0.8% in January, more than forecast, amid smaller receipts at gas stations due to plummeting fuel costs and declines at apparel and sporting goods stores, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. It was the second straight month of decline, suggesting consumers still remain cautious when it comes to spending. Sales excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services edged up 0.1%, also less than forecast, after being flat in December.

Fort Myers, Fla. – Chico’s FAS Inc. may be the next big-name retailer to undergo an acquisition. Private equity firm Sycamore Partners is reportedly pursuing a $3 billion acquisition of the specialty women’s apparel retailer.

According to Reuters, Sycamore already has an agreement in principle to acquire Chico’s, contingent upon obtaining financing. However, Sycamore may be having difficulty finding a bank or banks willing to allow as much debt as the company is looking for.
 

Denver – Smartphone use continues to rise, with 71% of all consumers and 85% of Millennials owning a smartphone. However, Placeable recently surveyed 1,000 U.S. consumers and found that 42% have never purchased anything on their mobile phones, and more than nine out of 10 consumers don’t use mobile payments when they’re available.

Port Washington, N.Y. - Consumers spent more than $47 billion on small appliances, non-electric housewares products, and home fashions in 2014. According to The NPD Group, this was a nearly $500 million, or 1%, increase from 2013 home-product sales,

NPD Group data also shows this continued the growth trajectory resumed in 2013, when the industry grew by 4%. Sales of small kitchen appliances, bed, and bath home fashions products buoyed the industry in 2014, while most non-electric housewares continued to struggle.

Chicago – We live in an age of information, and consumers are valuing access to product information more than ever. According to a new study of 1,000 brands and retailers from PowerReviews, more than half (57%) of online shoppers reported specifically seeking out websites with product reviews.