Business Analytics

New York -- The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. increased 0.8% in November to 98.3 (2004 = 100), following a 0.1% increase in October, and a 1% increase in September.

Record levels of mobile traffic helped Christmas Day online sales advance 16.5%, according to IBM digital Analytics Benchmark data.

New York – Factors including the permanency of the 2013 payroll tax increase, uneven job creation and uncertainty caused by the autumn partial government shutdown are expected to continue constraining consumer spending in 2014. According to a new economic insight report from Sterne Agee, lower gas prices, a lingering wealth effect from home price appreciation and record highs in equities helped boost holiday spending, but will not be enough to counteract a trend toward weak consumption that has been in place since the beginning of this year.

Deerfield Park, Ill. – Walgreen Co. reported a healthy 68% surge in net earnings during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 to $695 million from $413 million in the same period a year earlier.

Net sales rose about 6%, to $18.3 billion from $17.3 billion, while same-store sales grew 5.4%.

Rite Aid modestly increased its full year sales forecast following the release of third quarter results and said it will aggressively expand its “Wellness” format as it looks to drive greater growth in 2014.

Fort Worth, Texas – Pier 1 Imports boosted net income and sales during the third quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to the same period in the prior year, partially aided by strong Thanksgiving weekend performance. Net income totaled $26.8 million, up 13% from $23.7 million.

Total sales for the third quarter were $465.5 million, a 9.6% increase from $424.5 million in the year-ago quarter.

Same-store sales rose 6.9%, primarily attributable to increases in conversion rate and higher average ticket.

Pier 1 is touting the progress it’s made with its 1 Pier 1 omnichannel strategy, following financial results for the third quarter. Pier1.com continued to outperform the company’s expectations with increases in traffic and conversion, and representing more than 4% of total sales in the quarter.

Camp Hill, Pa. – Rite Aid reported a solid 15.5% increase in net income during the third quarter of fiscal 2013, to $71.5 million from $61.9 million in the year ago period.  Lower interest expense and lease termination and impairment charges helped drive Rite Aid’s net income growth.

In addition, revenues grew about 2% to $6.4 billion from $6.2 billion, primarily due to a 3.5% increase in pharmacy same store sales. Same-store sales rose 2.3%.