Research Topic

Overall, there was a slight upward trend in both size of inserts and circulation, with a 5% increase in the number of pages per insert and 2 % increase in the average number of inserts across markets.

Atlanta -- A report released Thursday 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, in October, dollar volume growth held steady at 9.4% versus September’s growth of 9.5%.

Overall transaction growth improved to 7.5% in October from 7.1% in September. Inflation continued to be evident in the food sector as Food/Beverage Stores posted average ticket growth of 2.3% for the second consecutive month.

SECAUCUS, N.J. — The 2011 Kosherfest confirmed what many in the industry already know — kosher products are in high demand by a growing number of both Jewish and non-Jewish consumers. 

City of Commerce, Calif. -- Discounter 99 Cents Only Stores reported Wednesday that profit for the second quarter rose 17% to $15.1 million, compared with $12.9 million a year earlier.

Revenue rose 8.8% to $363 million, beating analysts’ expected $357.3 million. Same-store sales increased 6.7%.

Seattle -- Nordstrom Inc. reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended Oct. 29 rose 6.7% to $127 million, compared with $119 million in the year-ago period.

Net sales rose 14.2% to $2.4 billion, surpassing Wall Street’s expected $2.35 billion and up from $2.1 billion a year earlier.  Same-store sales climbed 7.9%.

The company opened two full-line department stores – in Nashville and St. Louis -- and nine Nordstrom Rack stores during the quarter.
 

CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif. — A strong earnings and sales performance during its fiscal second quarter gave 99 Cents Only Stores the confidence to raise its full year guidance and become more aggressive with store growth. The company reported that total retail sales increased 9% to $352.2 million and same-store sales increased 6.7% for the second quarter. Consolidated net income increased by $2.2 million to $15.1 million or 21 cents per diluted share, versus $12.9 million in the prior year, or 18 cents per diluted share

San Diego -- PriceSmart Inc. reported Thursday that profit for the fourth quarter dipped 4% to $12.7 million from $13.2 million a year earlier, as higher costs offset stronger sales.

The wholesale club operator’s total revenue surged 22% to $447.4 million. Same-store sales rose nearly 19% in October.

New York City -- Deloitte’s 26th annual holiday survey of consumer spending intentions and trends, released Thursday, found that nearly half (48%) of consumers say they most likely will shop for gifts online this holiday season – a 13% increase from last year. 

This makes the Internet the No.1 shopping destination, now tied with discount stores, for the first time since adding the channel to Deloitte’s annual study.