Seasonal

As Dollar Tree moves forward with its acquisition of Family Dollar, the company reported an increase in same-store sales and expressed a favorable holiday outlook.

Dollar Tree's earnings per share increased 19% to $0.69 and its revenue increased 11.2% to $2.1 billion compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2013; these results were driven by comparable-store sales increasing 5.9% during the quarter compared to an increase of 3.1% in the prior-year period.

Portland, Ore. – Seven in 10 (71%) consumers intend to purchase at least one gift card  from an online website or mobile website/app during the upcoming holiday season, while 74% will buy at least one digital gift card. According to new data from POS solutions provider InComm, 85% of respondents age 18-35 agree that they’re likely to purchase at least one digital gift card this holiday season  

Goodlettsville, Tenn. – Dollar Tree Inc. beat Wall Street predictions for profits and sales in a generally strong third quarter of fiscal 2014. Net income rose 6% to $133 million from $125.4 million.   Consolidated net sales increased 11% to $2.1 billion from $1.88 billion and consolidated same-store sales increased 5.9%.

Worthington, Ohio - Amazon and Nordstrom shoppers plan to increase their holiday spending the most compared to other shoppers, according to a survey by Prosper Insights & Analytics.  The report, “Holiday 2014: Retailers to Watch,”  finds that while overall holiday spending plans are up this holiday season, shoppers will still be looking for sales and big discounts and spending only what they have to, making waves for retailers to navigate this year.   

Ross Stores didn’t let a surprisingly strong third quarter comp increase go to its head and maintained a cautious view of consumer spending.

Sales at the company increased 8% to nearly $2.6 billion and same store sales increased 4%. Net income increased to $193 million, or 93 cents a share, from $172 million, or 80 cents a share.

Nashville - Kirkland’s Inc. reported net income of $1.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, a 30% increase from $1 million the same quarter in the previous fiscal year. Higher gross profit helped boost net income.   The retailer beat Wall Street expectations with net income as well as with net sales of $117.2 million, up 10% from $106.1 million.  

Seattle – Amazon.com will start offering Black Friday deals on Friday, Nov. 21, and adding new deals as often as every 10 minutes for eight straight days. Amazon will introduce three Deals of the Day starting on Thanksgiving at midnight, as well as three more on Black Friday, in addition to thousands of limited-time Lightning Deals.