Seasonal

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.

NEW YORK -- AnnTaylor Stores announced that, based upon stronger than anticipated fourth quarter sales, including positive comparable sales at both the Ann Taylor and LOFT brands, the company expects to report top-line and bottom-line results for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2010 that will exceed the current consensus of analyst expectations and be substantially higher than the fourth quarter of 2009.  The company said it also expects to report substantially stronger sales and earnings for fiscal year 2010 over fiscal year 2009.

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Procter & Gamble and Target have teamed up to offer customers savings on a number of products designed to help them keep those fitness resolutions. 

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Walmart announced that it is offering 20,000 free tickets to the America I AM: The African-American Imprint tour, of which Walmart is a presenting sponsor. America I AM, a four-year touring exhibition that celebrates nearly 500 years of African-American contributions to this country, will make its Washington, D.C. debut at the National Geographic Museum on Feb. 2.

LOS ANGELES — Kroger banners Ralphs and Food 4 Less/Foods Co have kicked off their respective charitable campaigns to benefit children in the markets they serve.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Sears announced that it has partnered with wedding and entertaining expert David Tutera for the debut of the David Tutera Bridal Jewelry Collection. All settings in the Eternal, Heirloom, Radiance and Legacy designs, of which the premiere collection is comprised, will be available at Sears stores nationwide as well as online at http://www.Sears.com/DavidTuteraJewelry beginning Feb. 1.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Kmart announced that it is teaming up with comedian Steve Harvey for its Share the Word campaign celebrating Black History Month. According to the company, this year's installment of the Share the Word program was designed to spotlight the unique bonds found in black communities that have historically driven the progression of African-Americans.

A lack of disclosure among retailers regarding their online operations makes it challenging to understand what went on online this past holiday season. While comScore reported it was a record year from a sales perspective with November and December sales advancing 12% to $32.6 billion, data from the online measurement firm also showed that most major retailers saw fewer unique visitors to their websites in December 2010 than during the same month the prior year.