Research Topic

New York -- MasterCard Advisor’s latest MasterCard Spending Pulse survey found that there are some product categories that won’t see the biggest spending uptick on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

The monthly SpendingPulse report anticipates that the biggest shopping day of the season for jewelry and luxury retailers will be Dec. 21 – the last Saturday before Christmas, which is becoming commonly known as “Super Saturday.”

Washington, D.C. -- More than 60% of consumers will start holiday shopping on Black Friday and most will spend more than 50% of their holiday budget over the Thanksgiving weekend, according to research by the Georgetown Institute for Consumer Research, sponsored by KPMG.

Oklahoma City -- Seventy-four percent of shoppers plan to give one or more gift cards this holiday season, and nearly 30%  planned on giving five or more gift cards, according to a study by the Retail Gift Card Association (RGCA). The results show that gift cards drive store traffic, with 78% of consumers planning to spend their cards at the retailer's brick-and-mortar location

The Holiday Gift Card Trend Tracker Survey finds that the number of gift cards consumers plan to purchase as gifts this year increased by 71%.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Stein Mart reported a return to profit in the third quarter, recording net income of $28,000 for the period ended Nov. 2, compared with a loss of $1.7 million last year. Results matched Wall Street expectations.

Revenue climbed 6% to $290.5 million from $273.7 million, topping Wall Street's estimate of $287.9 million. Same-store sales rose 4.8%.

Denver -- Thirty percent of shoppers say the ease, speed, and low prices offered online make it a clear solution for the value and time-saving shopping experience they seek. An ongoing shopper behavior study from The Integer Group and M/A/R/C also shows that although mass merchants remain a popular holiday shopping destination, a leading 54% of shoppers say they will take advantage of free shipping deals that e-retailers can offer.

Nashville – Almost six-in-10 (58%) adults say their smartphone is very important for Black Friday shopping. A survey of nearly 1,000 adults by technology protection services vendor Asurion, also reveals 49% of shoppers will make Black Friday purchases from their smartphone.

By Ali Lipson, senior retail and apparel analyst, Mintel

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe's Cos. net income rose 26% in the third quarter, just short of projections, amid the housing market's ongoing resurgence. The retailer raised its fiscal 2013 outlook, but its earnings forecast was still below expectations.

Lowe's earned $499 million for the period ended Nov. 1, up from $396 million last year. Its earnings were a penny per share short of Wall Street expectations.

Revenue rose 7% to $12.96 billion from $12.07 billion, beating analysts’ predictions. Same-store sales increased 6.2%.