Research Topic

Oak Brook, Ill. -- The J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Home Improvement Retailer Store Satisfaction Study again ranked Ace Hardware “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Home Improvement Retail Stores.” Ace has held this position since the organization began researching the home improvement category five years ago.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target reported a 2.8% same-store sales increase for May, falling short of Wall Street's expectation for a 3.5% increase, as consumers remained cautious. The retailer reported that net sales for the four-week period were $4.8 billion, an increase of 3.8%t from $4.6 billion for the four weeks ended May 29, 2010. 

 NEW YORK  — A sluggish economy, cool weather and high prices at the pump tempered retail sales in May, as retailers reported mixed results for the month. Retail Metrics projected an increase of 5.1% for the 25 chains tracked, which would mark the 21st straight monthly gain from September 2009.

Retailers who turned in strong performances in May included Macy’s, with a 7.4% rise in same-store sales when a 5.6% increase was expected. The company lifted its full-year same-stores sales estimate.

New York City -- New York City remains the world’s most expensive retail destination as retailers focus on the major fashion capitals pushing global rents in prime locations even higher, according to the latest CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) Global Retail MarketView.

The average rent for space along Fifth Avenue from 49th Street up to 59th Street hit $1,900 per square foot in the first quarter. Hong Kong and Sydney came in second and third place in the rankings, with average per-square-foot rents of $1,697 and $1,301, respectively.

Greensboro, N.C. -- The Fresh Market reported Thursday that net income for the quarter ended May 1 rose to $13.5 million, compared with $12.2 million in the year-ago quarter.

Sales increased 10% to $264.5 million and same-store sales increased 4.1%.

During the first quarter, the retailer opened one new store in Peachtree City, Ga., bringing the current store count to 101. Fresh Market said it expects to open 12 to 14 new stores during fiscal 2011.
 

Kansas City, Kan. -- A report released Thursday by Compdata Surveys found that although the economy is still struggling to make significant strides towards recovery, small improvements are starting to become more evident.

The 2011 Compensation Data Services survey results found pay increase budgets remained relatively stable at 2.4%, reflecting a slight increase from 2.2% in 2010. Pay increase budgets are projected to continue slowly increasing in 2012 to 2.5%.

New York City -- A report released Wednesday by CB Richard Ellis found that New York City remains the world’s most expensive retail destination as retailers focus on the major fashion capitals, pushing global rents in prime locations even higher.

According to the latest CBRE Global Retail MarketView, the improving economy has had a measurably positive impact.

New York City -- Luxury, high-end jewelry and e-commerce enjoyed strong growth in May, as did the restaurant category, according to MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse, which tracks national retail and services sales. Apparel also continued to show gains, the report found, while housing-related sectors such as furniture, electronics and appliances all saw sales decline compared with the same period in 2010.

Washington, D.C. -- Consumers are predicted to spend an average of $106.49 on Father’s Day spending this year, up from $94.32 last year, according to the National Retail Federation’s Consumer Intentions and Actions Father’s Day survey. It is the highest in the eight years the survey has been conducted.

San Francisco -- Luxury sales are expected to continue to increase through June, according to Kurt Salmon's Luxury Spending Trajectory. The proprietary index, which tracks high-income consumers' confidence and intent to spend, has been highly correlated with luxury same-store sales growth over the last five years.