Research Topic

Worthington, Ohio -- Three high-profile big-box retailers received high marks for their mobile experiences, according to a survey by Prosper Insights & Analytics. In fact, among mobile users, 28.9% have used their mobile devices to shop at Walmart, 27.7% at Target, and 22% at Best Buy.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart is easing the pain at the pump by offering customers who use a Walmart MoneyCard or Walmart Credit Card a 15 cents per gallon reduction on their fuel purchase. Customers using a Walmart gift card will receive a 10 cent per gallon discount. Gas will be discounted at more than 1,000 Murphy USA and Walmart gas stations located at Walmart stores in 21 participating states.

Evansville, Ind. -- Shoe Carnival reported Monday that net earnings for the quarter ended Jan. 28 slipped to $3.2 million, compared with $3.3 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 13.1% to $205.7 million from $181.9 million, and same-store sales edged up 0.5%.

For the full year, profit rose to $29.3 million from $26.4 million, sales increased 12.1% to $855 million, and same-store sales advanced 4.5%.

Atlanta -- Rental chain Aaron's announced at its 2013 National Managers Meeting in Nashville that the company plans to open 125 stores in 2013 and hire 750 new employees.

Aarons added 950 new jobs across the U.S. and Canada last year.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- An SEC filing on Thursday revealed that Sears Holdings Corp. former CEO Louis D’Ambrosio, who stepped down in February citing family health issues, saw his total compensation package shrink nearly 90% from the prior year.

According to the proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Sears said D’Ambrosio's salary rose to $1 million in 2012 from $930,769 in 2011. However, the value of his perks, such as corporate housing and travel, shrank to $278,741 from $852,037 in 2011.
 

The North Central and Northeast states will be warmer than last year and normal for April 2013 overall with warmer trends arriving mid-month, a positive for spring products. However, an active jet stream will bring frequent showers and storms to much of the eastern half of the nation where precipitation will trend greater than last year which may soften spring category demand, especially for outdoor products. Temperatures in the Southeast and along much of the West Coast will be similar to last year and near normal.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Walmart and Target are targeting multi-cultural and health-conscious consumers with their private-label products directed at multicultural and health-conscious consumers.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys“R”Us reported that sales for the the fourth quarter decreased $155 million to $5.8 billion and that net earnings fell to $239 million from $343 million in the prior year.

New York -- An SEC filing on Friday revealed that the total compensation for CVS Caremark Corp. CEO Larry Merlo jumped 44% last year to $20.3 million.

Merlo’s base salary rose slightly but the major increases came from stock and option awards and nonequity incentive-plan compensation.

New York -- Consumer spending increased in February by the most in five months as incomes rose and the job market improved.

The Commerce Department said on Friday consumer spending rose 0.7% last month, after an upwardly revised increase from 0.2% to 0.4% in January.