Predictive Analytics

Chelmsford, Mass. -- The Kronox Retail Labor Index released by the company on Thursday showed that retail hiring is on the rise, even as fewer people seek jobs in the retail sector.

The Index jumped to 4.2%, up nearly 7% from last year, indicating a potential recovery in the labor market. The number of applications edged down 1.3% , which is down nearly 6% from its level one year ago, pointing to applicants seeking employment in other growing industries.

Coral Gables, Fla. -- A University of Miami study found that the display of a social media icon such as a Facebook “Like” button or a Twitter symbol on a shopping website influences a consumer’s buying decision.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.  — Lack of snowfall throughout most of the major winter sports regions negatively impacted Big 5 Sporting Goods' results in the fourth quarter. 

The company reported a net loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 of $9,000, or 0 cents per diluted share, including the non-cash impairment charge of 5 cents per diluted share. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, net income was $4 million, or 18 cents per diluted share, including a net charge of 7 cents per diluted share related to legal matters.

Roseville, Calif. -- Revionics, a provider of retail life cycle price optimization solutions, announced that Big Y Foods has renewed its price optimization software agreement with Revionics.

Big Y leverages the solution for its base price planning and optimization throughout all of its supermarkets.

Tune in this Sunday for the running of the Daytona 500 (coverage begins at noon on Fox) and see whether this is the year Juan Pablo Montoya pilots the number 42 Target Chevrolet to victory.

It’s a safe bet that Andrew Pole will never talk to another reporter after the treatment he and Target received in a piece in the Feb.16 edition of The New York Times with the headline, “How companies learn your secrets.”

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway posted a drop in quarterly net income amid higher commodity costs.

The company reported net income of $215.6 million (67 cents per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of 2011. In the fourth quarter of 2010, Safeway reported net income of $229.6 million (62 cents per diluted share).

Total sales increased 6.2% to $13.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2011 from $12.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010, helped by higher fuel sales and a 1.5% increase in identical-store sales (excluding fuel).

DALLAS — Zale Corp. reported increased revenues and earnings for its second quarter ended Jan. 31, thanks to a successful holiday season.

The company reported that revenues for the quarter were $664 million, an increase of $37 million, or 6%, compared with $626 million in the same period last year. 

Comparable-store sales, which are based on year-over-year merchandise sales, increased 5.8% during the quarter. This increase follows a 7.9% rise in the same period last year. 

ATLANTA — Boosted by mild temperatures and spring-like selling conditions throughout much of the country, Home Depot saw sales rise nearly 6% in the fourth quarter.

The home improvement giant reported fourth-quarter sales of $16.0 billion, up 5.9% from the same quarter last year. Comparable store sales were positive 5.7%, and up 6.1% in the United States.

"We had a strong finish to 2011, and with favorable weather, our business delivered results that exceeded our expectations," said CEO Frank Blake. 

Atlanta -- The Home Depot Inc.'s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings rose 32% to $774 million, compared with a profit of $587 million in the year-ago period. The retailer noted that mild weather throughout parts of the United States gave homeowners the chance to work on homes projects in the winter.