Research Topic

Memphis -- Fred's said Tuesday that its third-quarter net income surged 56%, partly because of its improved merchandise mix and remodeled and upgraded stores.

The discounter’s net iFred's said Tuesday that its third-quarter net income surged 56%, partly because of its improved merchandise mix and remodeled and upgraded stores.ncome rose to $7.8 million for the period ended Oct. 30, compared with $5 million in the year ago period. The performance topped analysts’ estimates.

Dallas -- Zale Corp.’s first-quarter loss widened as a debt-related charge hit the bottom line but a slight drop in revenue was offset by higher margins. The jewelry retailer reported a loss of $97.9 million, up from $59.7 million a year earlier.

Sales fell 0.7% to $327 million, from $329 million. Same-store sales in the quarter ended Oct. 31 fell 1.1%.

Lewisville, Texas -- Consumers can expect a record-breaking availability of rebates this holiday shopping season, according to Parago, a leading provider of reward programs.

With 2010 rebate performance to-date at blockbuster levels, (Parago has seen a more than 20% increase over the same time last year) more companies are rebating and more products are being sold with robust rebate offers. This momentum of great deals will carry through the holiday season, with more offers and rebate promotions being marketed than previous seasons.

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.