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Winter Holidays

  • CE report offers holiday recap, 2012 outlook

    Just in time for the Consumer Electronics Show next week in Las Vegas, Market Research Solutions (MRS) is out with a new report that provides unconventional insights into the 2011 holiday season and outlook for 2012.

    The Tampa, Fla.-based research firm surveyed 272 department managers in early December at such retailers as Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Hhgregg and dominant regional players to gain a unique perspective on a category of business that is the most dynamic in retail. Among some of the key findings MRS provided exclusively to RetailingToday.com were:

  • Discounters and department stores turn in mixed results for December

    New York City -- The nation’s discounters and department store retailers turned in mixed results for December, with many chains citing unseasonably warm weather that sapped demand for cold-weather merchandise.

    “Cold-weather categories, which are highly profitable and represent approximately 25% of our business in December, were down mid-teens on a percentage basis,” said Tony Buccina, vice chairman, president – merchandising, The Bon-Ton Stores, whose December same-store sales fell 0.7%. The company widened its loss forecast.

  • Walgreens and Rite Aid report rise in December same-store sales

    New York City -- Walgreen Co. said Thursday that its same-store sales increased 0.4 percent in December, beating analysts' estimates for a decline of 0.1%.

    Front-end sales were up 0.6%. Same-store pharmacy sales, which make up nearly 60% of total sales, rose 0.2%. Walgreen said those sales were hurt by more launches of generic drugs, as well as a milder season for coughs, colds and the flu.

    Rite Aid Corp. said Thursday its December same-store sales rose 3.6%, boosted by higher pharmacy sales.

  • Target fumbles during holiday playoff run

    MINNEAPOLIS — Joe Namath he’s not. Target chairman, president and CEO Gregg Steinhafel assured investors last month that December comps would exceed November’s 1.8% increase, but then Thursday morning reported a disappointing 1.6% increase and a reduced profit forecast.

  • Hot Topic holiday same-store sales up 1.2%

    City of Industry, Calif. -- Hot Topic reported Wednesday that same-store sales for the nine-week holiday shopping period of November and December edged up 1.2%. The company upped its fourth quarter guidance based on the results.

    In related news, Hot Topic has named Cindy Levitt as VP, general merchandise manager, effective Jan. 16.

  • Zumiez sales, comps up in December

    Everett, Wash. -- Zumiez Inc. reported Wednesday that total sales for the five-week period ended Dec. 31 increased 18.1% to $104.6 million, compared to $88.5 million last year.

    Same-store sales surged 10% for the period.

    Based on better than planned holiday sales and product margin, the company has increased its guidance and now expects fiscal 2011 fourth quarter total sales of $180 to $181 million.

  • Goody to launch heat styling line at Target, Walmart

    ATLANTA — Goody is launching for 2012 its first-ever heat styling products that are slated to hit Target and Walmart shelves in March.

    The new collection is comprised of the Goody Heat Flash Dry blow dryer, Smart Temp blow dryer and Wave Creator styling iron.

  • ICSC: Sales surge 5.3% in last week of December

    New York City -- A report released Wednesday by the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs said that post-Christmas shopping surges propelled U.S. same-store sales significantly forward during the week after Christmas.

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