Research Topic

By now anyone who receives this weekly newsletter has heard or read something about Walmart’s alleged Mexican bribery scandal and cover up.

Sidney, Neb. -- Cabela’s Inc. reported Thursday that net income for the first quarter rose a record 62% to $28.8 million, from $17.8 million last year.

Revenue increased 6.3% to $623.5 million, and same-store sales increased 4.2%.

"This strong performance gives us confidence our growth strategy is working and working well," said Tommy Millner, Cabela's CEO.

Chicago -- Survey results released Thursday by WorkInRetail.com found that about one-third (32%) of retail hiring managers use social networking sites to research job candidates.

The new survey from WorkInRetail.com – CareerBuilder’s job site for retail professionals, found that of the retail employers who do not research candidates on social media, 16% said their company prohibits the practice. Nine percent report they do not currently use social media to screen, but plan to start.

By Sam Khalilieh, [email protected]

Study after study has concluded that adding doors to medium temperature coolers (MTC) is a great solution for a variety of issues that plague grocery retailers. Whether looking at energy use, operational costs, product safety, or consumer comfort, there is no down side to adding doors. So why do so many overlook this very basic approach? This question has been puzzling me for a long time.

With 24 million unique visitors during March, Target.com was ranked 47th on the comScore Media Metrix listing of the top 50 U.S. Web properties for March. That’s an improvement from March 2011 when Target didn’t crack the top 50. The only other conventional retailer in the top 50 was 25th ranked Walmart.com with 39 million unique visitors. It was ranked 33rd last year with 31.7 million unique visitors in March.
 

New York -- Survey results released Wednesday by Brand Keys revealed that 90% of consumers plan to celebrate Mother’s Day. Total spending is estimated to reach nearly $17.2 billion, according to the annual Brand Keys Mother’s Day survey.

Celebrants intend to spend an average of $163 this year, up 10% over 2011. Men, following a long-time pattern, intend to spend more than women, reporting an anticipated average spend of $190. Women anticipate spending $136.

PALM BEACH, Fla. — The charitable arm of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores has elected three new members to its board of directors.

The board, which now will expand to 23 members for 2012-2013, include Rite Aid's SVP and chief communications officer Susan Henderson; GlaxoSmithKline VP channel development and sales Joseph Kucharski; and Pfizer Worldwide Pharmaceuticals VP corporate government customers David Moules.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Big Lots has lowered its comparable-store guidance for its first quarter, and now expects them to be slightly negative compared with its prior guidance issued on March 2. The company's prior guidance estimated first-quarter comps would be up 2% to 4%.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target is investing more than $12 million in schools in 2012 through its library makeover program, and said it plans to give more than $1 billion for education by the end of 2015.

As part of its 2012 library makeover program, Target will renovate libraries at 32 elementary schools and revisit each of the 118 schools that previously received a Target School Library Makeover to provide additional reading resources for students and teachers.

WASHINGTON — If NRF's predictions come true, moms will be in for an especially good Mother's Day this year. According to NRF’s 2012 Mother’s Day consumer spending survey conducted by BIGinsight, the average person celebrating the holiday is expected to spend $152.52 on gifts, up from $140.73 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $18.6 billion.