Research Topic

Los Angeles – A survey from online shopping site PriceGrabber indicates U.S. consumers are leaning toward practical Father’s Day gifts this year. Almost four-in-10 (38%) consumers plan to purchase practical Father’s Day presents this year, such as tools, auto accessories or appliances.

Nearly one-fifth of respondents (18%) are planning to shop for a tech-type gift such as a computer, tablet or smartphone. Forty-five percent of men plan to buy a practical gift, compared to 33% of women.

Minneapolis -- Female consumers are looking for value and deeper connections, according to results of the fifth annual “What Women Want” survey. The study, conducted by Ginger Consulting, indicates that women are responsible for or influence $7 trillion of annual purchases in the U.S., including 85% of all consumer and business purchases and 60% of automobile purchases,

New York -- Consumer confidence climbed to the highest level in more than five years, according to The Conference Board. The group’s closely-watched sentiment index rose to 76.2 in May, the highest since February 2008, and up from a reading of 69.0 in April.

The expectations index jumped to 82.4 in May from 74.3 in April to mark the highest level in seven months. The present situation index rose to 66.7 from 61.0. The share of consumers expecting more jobs to open in the next six months increased to a five-month high.

Denver -- A study released Thursday by The Integer Group and M/A/R/C Research found that 16% of Hispanic shoppers are using their mobile devices to make purchases, compared to 12% of general market shoppers.

The Checkout ongoing shopper behavior study polls consumers nationally about their shopping attitudes, shopping behaviors and economic outlook.

Chicago -- Leading retailers are much better than other retailers at collecting data, measuring activities, acting on their insights, and measuring again to see the results, according to A.T. Kearney’s 2013 Achieving Excellence in Retail Operations (AERO) Study.

Columbus, Ohio -- L Brands Inc., formerly known as Limited Brands, reported Wednesday that profit for the quarter ended May 4 surged 14% to $142.5 million, from $124.6 million last year. The Victoria’s Secret and Bath and Body Works parent increased its outlook for the year.

Quarterly sales rose 5% to $2.27 billion from $2.15 billion, edging Wall Street’s expected $2.26 billion in revenue. Same-store sales increased 3%.

 

Chesapeake, Va. – Dollar Tree reported record net sales for first quarter 2013, with consolidated net sales of $1.87 billion, an 8% increase from $1.72 billion during the same quarter of the prior year. Net income totaled $133.5 million, and same store sales grew 2.1%, on top of a 5.6% increase recorded during first quarter 2012. Dollar Tree estimates full fiscal year net sales will range from $7.81 billion to $7.97 billion.

Dollar Tree president and CEO Bob Sasser said he is pleased with the first quarter results.

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