Research Topic

Washington, D.C. -- Retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) will increase 4.1% in 2014, up from the preliminary 3.7% growth seen in 2013, according to the National Retail Federation. The association’s 2014 economic forecast, released Thursday, calls for online sales to grow between 9% and 12%.

A number of factors contributed to NRF’s 2014 economic forecast, including:

Retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) will increase 4.1% in 2014, up from the preliminary 3.7% growth seen in 2013, according to the National Retail Federation. The association’s 2014 economic forecast calls for online sales to grow between 9% and 12%.

A number of factors contributed to NRF’s 2014 economic forecast, including:

Canton, Mass. -- For the eighth consecutive year, Dunkin' Donuts has been ranked number one in customer loyalty in the coffee category by the Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index. Dunkin' Donuts was also ranked number one in customer loyalty in the packaged coffee category for the second consecutive year.

Deerfield Park, Ill. - Walgreens had January 2014 sales of $6.39 billion, an increase of 3.7% from $6.17 billion for the same month in fiscal 2013. Same-store sales grew 2.9%.

Calendar day shifts negatively impacted total comparable sales by 0.3 percentage point, while generic drug introductions in the last 12 months negatively impacted total comparable sales by 0.9 percentage point. Walgreens opened 12 stores during January, including three relocations, and closed three.

Unilever U.S. has teamed up with the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing and Management master's degree program to explore “the changing face of the beauty consumer.”

Amazon did a bit of Valentine’s Day data mining of sales of romance novels and sexy music to come up with its fifth annual list of the nation’s top 20 romantic cities. And people are worried about the NSA’s activities?

Washington, D.C. – Fewer U.S. consumers will celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, but will spend a little more than last year. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2014 Valentine’s Day spending survey conducted by Prosper Insights and Analytics, 54% of Americans will celebrate with their loved ones in 2014, compared to 60% in 2013.

The average person plans to spend $133.91 on candy, cards, gifts, dinner and more, up slightly from $130.97 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $17.3 billion.

On the heels of a healthy yet modest holiday shopping season, cautious consumers aren’t quite ready to splurge on Valentine’s Day this year, continuing to keep their budgets in check.