Seasonal

Somebody is getting new shoes this Christmas
In addition to the requisite comment about expecting the holidays to be highly promotional, Famous Footwear also expects the momentum it saw during back-to-school season to carry over to the fourth quarter.

Famous Footwear’s third quarter same store sales increased 4.4% and total sales increased 4.8% to $456 million, excluding the performance of the divested Shoes.com business, to represent 63% of parent company Caleres total sales of $728.6 million. Caleres is the company formerly known as Brown Shoe Company that changed its name earlier this year.
The Carson effect evident at Books-A-Million
Guest appearances by Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson at Books-A-Million stores gave the retailer a modest sales lift in the third quarter.

The company said its sales increased 0.4% to $101.6 million and same store sales increased 1.6%, thanks in part to appearances by Republication presidential contender Dr. Ben Carson. However, signs of life on the top line did not translate to bottom line improvement as Books-A-Million reported a loss of $7.1 million, or 50 cents a share, that was in line with a loss from the prior year.

Retailers make holidays a social occasion

The holidays are becoming an increasingly social event, as evidenced by the promotional campaigns of two major department store chains this season.

According to Adweek, both Target and Macy’s are heavily leveraging a variety of social media platforms to engage consumers for the 2015 holiday season. Target has increased the percentage of its overall paid media spend represented by social to 12%, up 30% from about 9% in 2014.
Heading into the holiday rush, these retailers are tops in social engagment

A department store and a beauty specialty retailer have the best momentum in social media going into the holiday season. Meanwhile, an online giant is losing steam.
Final anchor to open in Port Arthur redevelopment project

Baker Katz announced that the 90,000 sq. ft. multi-tenant center redevelopment project in Port Arthur, Texas is complete with the opening of PetSmart.

The former Sutherlands Hardware was transformed into a multi-tenant retail center with the addition of national anchor tenants, including Hobby Lobby, PetSmart and Party City. Chipotle, Firehouse Subs and Gulfside Dental, are scheduled to open by early 2016, will occupy a 7,000 sq. ft. building in the foreground of the project.
Strong dollar crushes Tiffany

Millions of people worldwide will be surprised and delighted to receive a little blue box this holiday season, but a strong U.S.
Same store sales drop 3.3% at Chico's

Chico's FAS blamed the holiday calendar and a volatile stock market for its disappointing financial results in the third quarter.
Dollar Tree/Family Dollar are on track for Q4

Dollar Tree’s third quarter results weren’t as strong as the prior year, but all is well with the integration of Family Dollar and CEO Bob Sasser contends the combined company is well-positioned for the holidays.

Total sales increased 136% to $4.95 billion during the quarter ended Oct. 31, from $2.1 billion in the prior year’s third quarter. The surge in sales reflects the first full quarter in which sales from Family Dollar stores are included in results. Dollar Tree completed its acquisition of Family Dollar on July 6 creating a retailer with 13,600 stores.
Kmart app seeks attention from mobile shoppers

Kmart is adding new features to its app aimed at holiday shoppers, including real-time, opt-in push notifications of exclusive online Bluelight Specials.
Saks Off 5th continuing Canadian expansion

Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th is making progress in its plans to open up to 25 locations across Canada by 2018.

The retailer announced three new locations in Canada: Toronto Premium Outlets, Halton Hills, Ontario; Rideau Street, Ottawa, Ontario; and Premium Outlets Montreal, Mirabel, Quebec City.
DSW touts omnichannel success amid Q3 struggle

Leading footwear retailer DSW Inc. made significant omnichannel upgrades during the third quarter but warm weather kept shoppers from buying shoes in stores or online.

Sales declined 0.6% to $666 million and same store sales declined 3.9% compared to a 2.6% comp increase during the same period the prior year. Profits declined 20.7% to $39.3 million and earnings per share declined 20% to 44 cents, in line with the company’s guidance range of 41 cents to 44 cents.
Will REI's Black Friday rebellion pay off?

REI's plea asking shoppers to skip Black Friday and go outside has prompted nearly 1 million endorsements for the retailer's #OptOutside social media campaign.