Retailer Intelligence

It seemed like everything was going Target’s way after the company reported a 5.5% same-store sales increase during November, but then the revelation came last week of a 0.9% December comp increase and the wind came out of the company’s sales.

Trends in Target’s credit business continue to improve and delinquency rates in the portfolio are now at their lowest level in several years. Accounts 60 days past due in December represented 4.2% of the receivables portfolio, compared with 4.6% in November, and hit their lowest level since April 2008. The same was true of the 90-day delinquency rate where accounts 90 days past due in December accounted for 3.1% of the portfolio, compared with 3.3% in November, and hit their lowest level since July 2008.

If the eyes are the window to the soul, then Walmart’s suppliers are the window to its future thanks to the truly unique relationship the retailer enjoys with its trading partners. Walmart brought new meaning to the concept of collaboration when it pursued a strategy of data transparency decades ago that enabled fact-based decision making.

York, Pa. -- ThThe Bon-Ton Stores reported Thursday that its loss for the third quarter widened to $6.3 million, compared with a loss of $4.2 million in the prior year.e Bon-Ton Stores reported Thursday that its loss for the third quarter widened to $6.3 million, compared with a loss of $4.2 million in the prior year.

Total revenue fell to $716.9 million from $722.6 million.