Business Analytics

Phoenix — The metropolitan Phoenix retail market ended the third quarter with a retail vacancy rate at 10.5%, down nearly a full point from 11.3% a year ago, according to CBRE’s Phoenix Retail MarketView report for the third quarter.

The market recorded positive absorption of 385,625 sq. ft. for the quarter and so far this year has absorbed 1.1 million sq. ft.

Caty, N.C. – Consumers have somewhat contradictory desires for greater data privacy and for businesses to have detailed insight into their personal needs, and also have seen improvement in how businesses use personal data. According to a new study from analytics technology provider SAS, 71% of 1,260 respondents surveyed said that recent news about government access to personal data increased their privacy concerns.

A compressed shopping season coupled with the continued growth of e-commerce has UPS forecasting that peak season daily package volumes will grow by 8%.

Sherwin-Williams cited higher paint sales volumes in its Paint Stores Group and acquisitions as helping to drive net sales growth. 

The company increased net income 12%, to $262.97 million from $234.95 million, during the third quarter of fiscal 2013.

Net sales grew 9.4% to $2.85 billion from $2.6 billion.

Sidney, Neb. – Cabela’s said that strong performance from its next-generation store format helped drive its third quarter net income up 16.6%, to $49.9 million compared to $42.8 million in the year ago quarter. The company also announced plans for three new stores.

Revenue grew about 15%, from $741.2 million to $850.8 million. Same-store sales grew 3.9%.

Pittsburgh – GNC Holdings reported strong results for the third quarter of fiscal 2013, reporting a net income increase of 17.3%, from $62.2 million to $73 million.

Revenue grew about 9%, from $621.6 million to $675.6 million. Same store sales increased approximately 6.7% in domestic company-owned stores (including GNC.com sales) in the third quarter of 2013, while in domestic franchise locations, same-store sales increased 5.9%.

Dr Pepper Snapple Group continues navigating through a challenging economic climate. Despite experiencing some pressure in its carbonated soft drinks category, president and CEO Larry Young is reportedly encouraged by the performance of the company’s Core 4 TEN platform.

Reported net sales for the third quarter ended  increased 1% reflecting 3 percentage points of positive mix and pricing, partially offset by a 1% sales volume decline and higher discounts.
 

A unique perspective into the holiday season was provided by leading payments processor Vantiv when the company reported strong third quarter results but expressed reservations about the volume of activity during the fourth quarter.

The company said its third quarter revenues increase 14% to $532 million and net income on an adjusted basis increase 17% to $80 million compared to $68.1 million while adjusted earnings per share increased 25% to 40 cents from 32 cents.

Free standing inserts remain a popular promotional vehicle, but weakness in other aspects of the Valassis business model have CEO Rob Mason vowing major changes after a third quarter sales decline.

Toano, Va. – Lumber Liquidators increased its net income in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 58.4% to $20.4 million, from $12.9 million in the year-ago period.

Net sales grew 24.5% to $254.3 million, from $204.3 million in the same period a year earlier. Same-store sales grew 17.4%, driven by a 9.8% increase in the number of customers invoiced and a 6.9% increase in the average sale.