Mass Merchant

New York – U.S. consumers are continuing to show moderate signs of the optimism Americans are so famous for. According to the Nielsen consumer confidence index, U.S. consumer confidence increased one index point in the first quarter of 2015 to a score of 107, maintaining an above-the-baseline (100) optimism level for one year.

Framingham, Mass. – The TJX Cos. enjoyed a successful first quarter of fiscal 2016 that included profit results surpassing Wall Street expectations. TJX reported net income of $474.6 million, up 4% from $454.32 million a year earlier.

Growth in expenses and cost of sales did not keep pace with revenue growth, resulting in higher pretax income that fueled the profit increase. Net sales rose 6% to $6.86 billion from $6.49 billion. Total same-store sales growth of 5%, driven by increased customer traffic, helped boost revenue.

Online grocery delivery service Instacart has had to add boats to its fleet of vehicles now that the growing company has decided to launch in Miami.

Customers in Miami can now order from Whole Foods Market, Costco, Winn-Dixie, BJ'S Wholesale Club and Petco stores and have everything delivered by Instacart in as little as one hour. Instacart customers do not need a Costco or BJ's membership to shop from those stores.

Washington, D.C. – Summertime is almost here, and consumers are planning to give the easy and convenient present of a gift card. More than 70% of shoppers will be giving gift cards this spring and summer during the assortment of gift-giving holidays that are approaching, including graduations, Father’s Day, and weddings.

New research from the Retail Gift Card Association (RGCA) also confirms that the gifts remain popular with recipients as well, with 95% of consumers hoping to receive gift cards this spring and summer season.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. - Kohl’s Corp. is preparing to open a store in southern New Jersey called "Off Aisle by Kohl's," a name that suggests the company may be following the lead of other retailers opening off-price formats.

San Francisco – Instacart is taking its talents to South Beach. Consumers in Miami can now use the online delivery service to order from Whole Foods Market, Costco, Winn-Dixie, BJ’S Wholesale Club and Petco stores and have everything delivered by Instacart in as little as one hour.

Instacart customers do not need a Costco or BJ’s membership to shop from those stores. Miami is the 16th city where Instacart is offering deliveries.

The Obama administration’s plan to revise federal overtime regulations would likely “hollow out” low- and mid-level management positions in the retail industry and result in a shift toward more hourly and part-time workers, according to a new National Retail Federation (NRF) report.

The CEO of Urban Outfitters sounded a positive note about the company's omnichannel strategy despite reporting mixed financial results in the first quarter.