Research Topic

Citigroup found that toy prices at both Walmart and Target fell by 4% and that the price gap between the two retailers on toys has narrowed since its first survey.

According to Ciitgroup, retail prices of a basket of “hot” toys for holiday 2011 are now 30 bps cheaper at Walmart than at Target, compared with 50 bps cheaper at Walmart in its previous survey. However, taking into account Target’s 5% rewards discount, the basket of toys became 470 bps more expensive at Walmart, compared with 450 bps more expensive in the previous survey.

Chicago -- The third annual Mobile Audit, released Thursday by e-commerce and digital marketing company Acquity Group, found that mobile adoption is on the rise. In fact, the percentage of retailers with a mobile site reached 37% in 2011, up from 12% in 2010 and only 4% in 2009 – a 210% increase over the past year alone.

Springfield, Mo. -- O’Reilly Automotive reported Thursday that net income for the third quarter rose 27% to $148 million, compared with $117 million in the year-ago period.

Sales increased 8% to $1.54 billion from $1.43 billion. Same-store sales rose 4.8%.

During the quarter, the company opened 50 new stores, bringing its store count to 3,707 in 39 states.
 

Austin, Texas -- Golfsmith International Holdings reported Thursday a profit of $1.3 million for the quarter ended Oct. 1, compared with a loss of $1.1 million a year earlier.

Net revenues increased 8.3 % to $101 million, from $93.3 million. Same-store sales rose 3.4%.
 

Sidney, Neb. -- Outdoor retailer Cabela’s reported Thursday that profit for the third quarter surged 68.7% to $33.3 million, compared with $19.7 million in the year-ago period. Results surpassed analysts’ expectations and mark the third straight quarter of profit rises.

Revenue rose 6% to $678.6 million, missing Wall Street’s expected $681.5 million.

New York City -- The U.S. retail industry will perform in line with sluggish U.S. GDP growth through 2012 as persistent unemployment, stock market volatility and economic gloom weigh on consumer confidence and spending, according to a new report by Moody's Investors Service.
 

NEW YORK — Despite concerns about the economy and rising household expenses, nearly 3-out-of-5 consumers (59%) will put aside economic worries and spend the same or more this holiday season, according to Deloitte’s 26th annual survey of holiday spending intentions and trends. While this is a slight decline from 2010, it represents an eight percentage point increase from 2009.

North Bergen, N.J. -- Vitamin Shoppe reported Wednesday that net income for the quarter ended Sept. 24 rose to $11.9 million, compared with $7.2 million for the same period last year. 

Sales increased 11.5% to $208.9 million, from $187.4 million last year. Same-store sales rose 7.1%. The company opened 10 stores during the quarter, and expects to open 48 new stores in this fiscal year and another 52 locations in fiscal 2012.