Seasonal

Target faces increased competition from dollar stores, as their value proposition still resonates with cash-strapped consumers. Dollar General, for example reported that net income for its third quarter was $171 million, 50 cents per diluted share, compared with net income of $128 million, or diluted EPS of 37 cents, in the third of fiscal 2010. The company reported that same-store sales increased 6.3% for the quarter. 

Atlanta -- The SpendTrend analysis released Friday by First Data Corp., which tracks same-store consumer spending by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT cards and checks at U.S. merchant locations, found that overall year-over-year dollar volume growth was up 7.3% in November 2011, down from October’s 9.4% growth.

November 2011 had tough comparables as November 2010 was a particularly strong month, with dollar volume growth up 8.1%, according to First Data. November 2011 transaction growth was 6.1%. 

New York City -- The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary index of consumer sentiment showed Friday that confidence among U.S. consumers rose more than forecast in December as Americans’ outlooks improved. 

The index rose to 67.7, a six-month high, from 64.1 at the end of November. The median estimate of 73 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News called for a reading of 65.8. The gauge averaged 89 in the five years leading up to the recession that began in December 2007 and ended in June 2009. 

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings announced that it will help make customers' "green" go further this Green Monday (Dec. 12) at Sears.com and Kmart.com.

Shoppers can take advantage of up to 70% off across popular categories available on Sears.com and Kmart.com on more than 500 deals that are as good as Cyber Monday prices, the company reported.

Abilene, Kan. -- Duckwall-ALCO Stores reported Friday that it recorded a profit of $0.1 million in the quarter ended Oct. 30, compared with a loss of $2.1 million in the year-ago period.

Sales increased 3.6% to $109.8 million, and same-store sales excluding fuel centers increased 2.7%. 

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys“R”Us' focus on the upcoming holiday shopping season was reflected in its third quarter results, which included a sales decrease. The company reported that net sales for the quarter were $2.7 billion, compared to $2.72 billion in the prior year. The company said it saw continued strength in learning and core toys, while the video game category remains a challenge.

Comparable store net sales decreased by 2.2% in the domestic segment and 3.9% in the international segment. 

Yonkers, N.Y. -- Despite flagging consumer confidence, December's Consumer Reports Index, a measure of overall consumer financial health, showed that the holiday season is off to a good start, with excellent activity in November and the prospect of a strong December.

The Past 30-Day Retail Index for December was 13.9, up from 12.4 a year ago, and planned spending for December was also strong at 12.7 compared to 11.8 last year. Among the categories comprising the Retail Index, the largest gains were in personal electronics.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion announced that it will now offer its MVP customers copies of Southern Living magazine guide for the holidays.