Research Topic

Schaumburg, Ill. - Nearly one in five Americans will shop on Black Friday, and more than half (61%) plan to spend $100 to $500, according to a new survey by The Nielsen Company.  Among the likely Black Friday winners are department stores, with 76% of consumers planing to shop the channel, and supercenters/mass merchandisers, where 55% will shop.

Washington - Retailers have big  plans for Cyber Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving), according to Shop.org’s eHoliday Survey, conducted by BIGresearch. Nearly nine in ten (88.2%) retailers will have a special promotion for Cyber Monday, up from  72.2% in 2007.

New York — Shoppers opened up their wallets in early November, providing retailers with some early holiday cheer. Spending on apparel, jewelry and luxury goods showed strong increases from the same time a year ago, according to MasterCard Advisors' SpendingPulse, which includes transactions in all forms including cash.

Chicago -- The new, post-recession American shopper is high maintenance, promiscuous and demands an innovative and engaging experience in-store and online. According to a new study released by Leo Burnett’s marketing services arm, Arc Worldwide.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores said Thursday it will open its first four stores in Washington, D.C., as part of the retailer’s effort to increase its urban expansion stride.

Wal-Mart said it plans to open the smaller-format urban stores in Washington, D.C. in late 2012, and said it has met little resistance from the area. The retailer said its poll of 800 locals found nearly three-quarters of Washingtonians favored Wal-Mart coming to the city.

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples reported Thursday that profit for the third quarter rose 7% as the office supply retailer clamped down on expenses. Net income increased to $288.7 million, from $269.4 million.

Revenue edged up to $6.54 billion from $6.52 billion. Analysts expected $6.53 billion.

Chesapeake, Va. -- Dollar Tree said Thursday that net income for the quarter ended Oct. 30 rose 37% to $93.2 million, from $68.2 million in the year-ago period.

Consolidated net sales for the third quarter were $1.43 billion, a 14.2% increase from $1.25 billion a year earlier. Same-store sales increased 8.7%.

During the third quarter, Dollar Tree opened 86 stores, expanded or relocated 27 stores, and closed two stores. The company currently operates 4,009 stores in 48 states.

Miami -- Retailers are continuing to invest in sustainability initiatives, even during tough economic times, according to a new report by RSR Research entitled "Lean and Green: Sustainable Practices Are Changing Retail, Benchmark 2010.”