Seasonal

Retail sales weren’t the only thing that rose during the 2016 holiday season.    Fraud attempts increased by 31% during the past holiday season, according to data from ACI Worldwide, which, on the positive side, found the number of overall transactions increased by 16%.   

Christopher & Banks Corp. on Tuesday announced the departure of its CEO, effective January 17, 2017, and also lowered its fourth quarter guidance after a dismal holiday season.    The women’s apparel retailer said LuAnn Via, president and CEO, has departed the company. Also out: board chairwoman Lisa Wardell.  

Holiday sales not only beat expectations among industry observers, it hit a five-year high.   Retail sales grew by 4.8% through the holiday season, as compared to the same period in 2015 — and November and December spending growth is the strongest it’s been in five years, according to a new report from Visa.   “The Visa Retail Spending Monitor” tracks retail sales, with the exception of autos, gas, and restaurants, among retail goods, services and stores on Visa payment products. 

It was a less than merry holiday for some retailers, especially in the department store sector, but total sales still managed to beat industry projections, fueled by a strengthening economy.    Retail sales (excluding autos, gas stations and restaurants) during November and December rose 4% over 2015 to $658.3 billion, according to the National Retail Federation. The group had forecast sales would rise 3.6% to $655.8 billion.  

Saks has given over the 14 storefront windows of its Fifth Avenue flagship to United Airlines to help promote United’s new Polaris business class cabin. (Saks is providing the bedding for United Polaris.)   The windows are designed to give passersby the feeling that they are actually walking through the luxurious Polaris cabin. And just in time for resort season, the mannequins that are in some of the windows are decked out in the latest spring fashions.    

United Airlines has taken over the windows of one of the nation’s most iconic department stores.   Saks Fifth Avenue on Wednesday unveiled United Airlines Polaris-themed windows at the retailer’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City.     

Hudson's Bay Co. is the latest department store retailer to report weak holiday sales.   The Canadian retailer, whose banners include Hudson’s Bay, Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor, reported a 0.7% decrease in consolidated comparable sales in the nine-week holiday selling period that ended Dec. 31.  

Ascena Retail Group Inc. cut its earnings outlook as poor sales moved it into a highly promotional stance during the holiday period.   The operator of Ann Taylor, Loft, Dressbarn, Lane Bryant, Maurices and Catherines said total same-same sales declined 3.1% during the November/December period.