Research Topic

New York -- Retail financial chiefs are increasingly optimistic about economic prospects over the next 12 months and plan to pivot toward expansion and adding jobs, according to a survey by American Express.

The fifth annual American Express/CFO Research Global Business & Spending Monitor, a survey of 541 senior finance executives from the United States, Europe, Canada, Latin America, Asia and Australia, revealed that investments in expanded operating capacity, research and development, and mergers and acquisitions are once again on the table.

WASHINGTON — A Tuesday report by the Commerce Department showed that U.S. retail sales during the month of April edged up 0.1%, following a 0.7% gain in March and marking the smallest rise of the year so far. The gain was in line with projections.

Excluding auto sales, retail sales climbed 0.1% in April.

Chicago -- A recent report from Jones Lang LaSalle showed that the current state of real estate markets suggests a temporary deceleration in the on-going global real estate market recovery.

According to JLL’s latest Global Market Perspective report, sentiment is, however, recovering and full-year 2012 commercial real estate volumes are expected to match the robust levels seen in 2011.

NEW YORK — New research that will appear in the upcoming issue of the Journal of Marketing Research explores consumer sentiment over the extension of a premium brand outside of its typical category.

New York -- Kohl’s, Nordstrom and Target  ranked first in their categories in a new survey by Harris Interactive The 2012 Harris Poll EquiTrend (EQ) study surveyed Americans about brands across several retail segments, revealing which brands prompted them to open their hearts—and consequently—their pocketbooks.

Redwood Shores, Calif. -- A “Live Help” feature, detailed information about products and services and access to personal account information are the three most important features consumers expect to find at a company’s website, according to an annual survey by Oracle. The company surveyed more than 3,000 consumers worldwide regarding their use of customer service channels including call centers, live chat, click-to-call and email.

Little Rock, Ark. -- Dillard’s said Friday that net income for the quarter ended April 28 rose to $95 million, from $76.7 million in the year-ago period, setting a company record for profit increases.

Sales rose to $1.55 billion, from $1.47 billion. Same-store sales climbed 5%, the department store retailer’s seventh consecutive quarter of comp increases.

Dillard’s said it saw its greatest strength in the first quarter from the central region of the United States, followed by the eastern and the western regions.

There was an increase in the number of circulars retailers released in the month of April, while page counts increased only slightly.