Research Topic

A lack of visibility into Walmart’s sales performance coupled with concerns about the pace of a U.S. sales recovery is contributing to some apprehension on Wall Street regarding the company’s fourth-quarter performance.

Wells Fargo retail analyst Matt Nemer put several leading retailers to the test this week with an innovative approach to research. According to Barron’s, he went on a $5,000 shopping spree on the websites of some of the largest Internet-only and traditional retailers. He said Amazon.com offered the best shopping experience, and he rated the retailer at outperform. Walmart.com, was said to have higher prices than Amazon’s, but had strong customer service and didn’t showed up as well in searches.

Those who believe the world is on the brink of collapse may want to head over to Sam’s Club.com where the retailer is offering a one-year emergency food supply kit for $949. The manufacturer, Augason Farms, notes in the product description that large numbers of Americans all over the country are becoming more aware of their need of emergency food storage. The pitch continues, “storing food for your family is one of the most prudent actions you will ever take to protect your loved ones.

Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market’s first quarter net income surged 79% to $88.7 million, on an increase in customer visits and a rise in average transactions. The natural and organic foods grocer raised 2011 profit outlook on its strong results, which beat expectations.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. -- M&M's brand Pretzel Chocolate Candies were honored with the 2011 Product of the Year in the candy and snacks category by Product of the Year USA, Mars Chocolate North America announced.  

"This award is especially gratifying because it was decided by consumers," said Debra Sandler, chief consumer officer of Mars Chocolate North America.  "We felt confident that the delicious combination of salty and sweet was a winner, but this award solidifies that M&M'S Pretzel are truly irresistible."

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.  -- Stater Bros. reported that supermarket sales declined 2.31% in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 compared with the same period of the prior year.  Like-store sales decreased 2.31% or $21.3 million for the thirteen weeks ended Dec. 26, 2010 compared with the thirteen weeks ended Dec. 27, 2009.  Consolidated sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 were $899 million compared with $923.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010, an overall decline of $24.8 million.

YONKERS, N.Y. -- Consumer Reports announced that its Trouble Tracker Index has climbed for the third straight month to 58.7. The index, which tracks the depth and breadth of financial difficulties among households, has climbed up from 54.2 last month and from 53.4 one year ago.

Atlanta -- A report released Wednesday by First Data Corp., which tracks same-store consumer spending by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT cards and checks at U.S. merchant locations, found that more consumers opted to pay with credit cards in January.

According to the First Data SpendTrend report for January 2011, transaction growth on credit cards was at a 13-month high in January and year-over-year credit dollar volume growth was the second highest in over a year.

Palatine, Ill. -- An overwhelming number (88%) of executives admit to a “moral responsibility” beyond regulatory requirement to make their companies more energy efficient, according to a recent poll of senior executives at Fortune 1000 companies. At the same time, however, 61% of respondents rank potential cost-savings as biggest motivator to save energy at the enterprise-level, outranking both environmental benefits and government regulations.