Research Topic

LOS ANGELES — Back-to-school shopping will likely take place even later this year than in 2010, as consumers hope to score last-minute deals, the latest forecast from PriceGrabber reveals. PriceGrabber, a part of Experian, found that 95% of consumers are planning to use some sort of money saving technique when back-to-school shopping, and they plan to start shopping later in 2011 than they did in 2010.

China ranks as the most attractive emerging market for apparel retailers, according to global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney’s 2011 Global Retail Development Index for Apparel. The report advises that as U.S. consumer confidence and the overall economy continues an uneven recovery, the nation’s apparel retailers must look to high-growth emerging markets to expand their businesses and increase revenues.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Tuesday by the Commerce Department showed that total U.S. retail sales fell 0.2% in May, a less-than-forecast dip following April’s 0.3% gain. It was the first drop in 11 months. Excluding autos, retail sales rose 0.3% last month, the smallest gain since July 2010.

WASHINGTON — Retail spending for the month of May experienced a slight drop of 0.2% to $387.1 billion, though the advanced estimates noted that May sales were 7.7% higher than the year-ago period, the U.S. Census Bureau said Tuesday.

The government agency also reported that total sales for the March through May period were up 7.5% from the same period a year ago.

Ankeny, Iowa -- C-store operator Casey's General Stores said Monday that profit for the quarter ended April 30 rose 4% to $22.8 million, compared with $21.9 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue surged 31% to $1.55 billion, surpassing Wall Street expectations of $1.57 billion in revenue. Same-store sales rose almost 5% on groceries and other merchandise and increased 12% on food and fountain drinks. Same-store gasoline sales fell 2% on rising prices.
 

Some companies were more aggressive with promotions last months and others were less so, but Target held steady producing the same number of circular ad pages (109) in May 2011, and it did the same month the prior year, according to data collected by the Chicago based firm Market Track.

New York City -- China ranks as the most attractive emerging market for apparel retailers, according to global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney’s 2011 Global Retail Development Index for Apparel. The research analyzes retail markets worldwide, and ranks those countries that present the best opportunity for apparel retail expansion.

New York City -- Chainstoreage.com columnist Jeff Green challenges the boon of the burgeoning burger concepts, posing the question: “Are burger joints here to stay or just a trendy restaurant theme that will overextend itself and “fall of the map” in a few years?

Check out Jeff’s latest column on the real estate community page: chainstoreage.com/article/burger-bonanza-rare-or-well-done