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Research Topic

  • 2012 could be the year (finally) for apparel sales improvement

    It seems like forever that that Walmart has been describing the performance of its apparel department as “a work in progress,” but this could be the year things turn around thanks to a number of factors working in the company’s favor.

    For starters, the return to basics emphasis is giving Walmart customers what they want and expect from Walmart, just as the market for apparel is enjoying strength and disruption at a competitor is creating the potential for share gains.

  • Michaels Stores files IPO

    New York -- Michaels Stores Friday confirmed that it is has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the proposed initial public offering of its common stock. According to the filing, the company proposed to raise $500 million in the IPO. The number of shares to be sold and the price range for the proposed offering have not yet been determined.

  • Mac Naughton returns to familiar territory

    Walmart chief merchandising officer Duncan Mac Naughton was back in Canada earlier this week at the CIBC World Markets Retail and Consumer Conference in Toronto sharing a message of improved traction and accelerating momentum.

  • Asda gaining grocery share in U.K.

    Wal-Mart Stores is making strides across the Atlantic, as its Asda division is taking more of the grocery market share in the United Kingdom from rival Tesco.

    According to a report from research firm Kantar Worldpanel, for the 12-week period ended March 18, Asda's share of the market grew to 17.9% on top of a year-over-year growth rate of 7.8%. By comparison, Tesco's growth rate of 2.7% lags behind the overall grocery market, which is growing at 4%.

  • Cache swings to profit in Q4

    New York -- Fashion retailer Cache reported Thursday that net income for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31 was $1.9 million, compared with a loss of $14.2 million the year-ago period.

    Sales surged 12.5% to $62.9 million, from $55.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010. Same-store sales increased 12.4%.

    Year to date the company has closed 12 underperforming stores and said it expects to close five more stores and open two in fiscal 2012.

  • J.C. Penney’s Johnson paid $53 million last year

    Plano, Texas -- Former Apple executive Ron Johnson, who became CEO of J.C. Penney in November, received $53.3 million in total compensation from the department store retailer last year.

    Johnson received a base salary of $375,000 and $52.7 million in stock awards, according to a regulatory filing. His performance-based bonus was $236,000, which the company said was pro-rated based on his period of service during the fiscal year. He also received compensation valued at $13,000 for personal use of the company's aircraft.

  • Report confirms strong connection between customer experience and loyalty

    New York -- Customer experience is highly correlated to loyalty in both the United States and the United Kingdom, according to a new report by Temkin Group.

    According to "The ROI of Customer Experience" study, a $1 billion U.S. company can generate between $141 million and $382 million over three years if it makes a modest improvement in the customer experience it delivers.

  • Report: Wal-Mart U.S. sales momentum continues

    Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores chief merchandising officer Duncan MacNaughton said during a CIBC conference on Wednesday that Wal-Mart’s domestic sales momentum has continued over the last two months.

    The world’s largest retailer registered a same-store sales rise of 1.3% in U.S. stores in the third quarter and a 1.5% increase in the fourth quarter.

    Results reversed a nine-quarter streak of same-store sales declines.

    According to MacNaughton, the momentum continued in February and March, as well.

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