Discount Store

  New York - J.C. Penney, Macy’s, Rite Aid, Meijer and Sears rank as the best retailers for Black Friday deals, according to a survey by personal finance social network WalletHub.  The survey shows that Penney has the highest overall discount rate at 65%, while Big Lots, at 24%, and Costco, at 21%, have the lowest. WalletHub surveyed 5,525 deals from the 2014 Black Friday ad scans of 21 of the biggest U.S. retailers. Here is a quick summary of some of the key findings.

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%.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. - Dollar General Corporation isn’t giving up. The deep discounter on Wednesday  affirmed its commitment to the acquisition of rival Family Dollar Stores. Dollar General’s comments followed the news that Family Dollar has delayed its shareholder vote on its $8.5 billion deal to be bought by Dollar Tree Inc. from Dec. 11 to Dec. 23.

New York, N.Y. - Just more than half of all Americans (51%) plan to purchase toys as gifts in the upcoming holiday season, nearly consistent with the prior year's intent (50%). Not surprisingly, according to a new Harris Poll of 2,205 U.S, adults, parents of a child under the age of 18 are twice as likely to purchase toys as those without children younger than the age of 18 (82% compared 41%, respectively).   

DENVER — An estimated 28% of shoppers plan to do most of their shopping at mass retailers versus 26% who will opt to shop online retailers this holiday season, according to an ongoing shopper behaviour study conducted by The Integer Group and M/A/R/C Research.

Holiday shoppers plan to cash in on a range of offers and value-add services this holiday season. Free shipping continues to be the most popular offer for holiday shoppers, with 58% of shoppers reporting they expect to take advantage of it this holiday season.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. - All Dollar General stores now accept American Express cards as a form of payment. Dollar General operates more than 11,500 locations in 40 states.    “We strive to provide our customers with a simple and hassle-free shopping experience,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s COO.  

Merrimack, N.H. -- Brookstone Inc. will appoint senior retail executive Thomas M. Via as president and CEO, and as a member of its board of directors, effective Dec. 1. Steven H. Schwartz, who had been serving as interim CEO, will resume his role as chief merchandising officer.  

Columbus, Ohio -- Big Lots has launched a marketing program around spurring holiday home décor purchases by declaring Nov.16-22, 2014, as the nation's first Decorate Your Home for the Holidays Week.