Seasonal

RESTON, Va.  -- According to comScore's Q4 2010  U.S. retail e-commerce sales estimates, online retail spending reached a record $43.4 billion for the quarter, up 11% versus year ago. This growth rate represented the fifth consecutive quarter of positive year-over-year growth and second quarter of double-digit growth rates in the past year.

New York City -- January saw strong growth across most retail categories, continuing the positive performance from fourth quarter 2010, albeit at a slightly slower pace, according to MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse, a report on national retail and services sales that is based on aggregate sales activity in the MasterCard payments network and survey-based estimates for other payment forms, such as cash and check.

LOS ANGELES —  According to PriceGrabber survey on consumer purchasing decisions for Valentine's Day, 52% of Valentine’s Day shoppers indicate that the economy will not have any effect on their purchasing decisions for Valentine’s Day 2011. Despite their confidence in the economy, 78% of survey respondents indicate they will not spend more money on Valentine’s Day shopping this year compared with last year. The remaining 22% of consumers plan to spend more on Valentine’s Day shopping this year.

NAPERVILLE, Ill.  — OfficeMax announced the launch of DiVOGA desk products and accessories featuring the limited edition Catherine collection. According to the company, the line features a contemporary take on the traditional brocade patterns dating back to eighteenth century Europe. 

DiVOGA Catherine is available for purchase at OfficeMax stores nationwide and other select retail partners of OfficeMax starting February 2011.

New York City -- Costco Wholesale Corp. reported a January same-store sales increase of 9%, topping Wall Street expectations and leading the performances of the discount retail category.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected a smaller same-store sales increase of 6.1%.

Target Corp. didn’t show the same strength, missing expectations because of strong winter storms during the month. Same-store sales edged up 1.7% for the month, missing the 1.9% increase predicted by Wall Street.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Big Lots announced that  fourth quarter retail sales for the fiscal quarter ended Jan. 29 were $1.5 billion, an increase of 3.8% compared with $1.451.5 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.  

Comparable-store sales were flat for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, which is consistent with the low end of the company's previously communicated guidance of flat to an increase of 2%. 

From a merchandising perspective, furniture, home, and seasonal were the best performing categories, the company reported.

Retail sales during January offered a mix bag of results and made it rather tricky to determine how much results were influenced by harsh winter weather, gift card redemption rates, a still shaky economic recovery and individual company strategies.

New York City -- Many retailers surprised with solid January revenue reporting on Thursday, despite snowstorms that raged across the country during the month.

The reports, many of which surpassed Wall Street expectations, offer encouragement that strength in consumer spending is continuing after a merry holiday season.
 
Costco Wholesale Corp, Victoria's Secret parent Limited Brands and teen retailer Wet Seal were among those that beat analyst expectations. Target, however, lagged, behind.