Data & Analytics

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Chico FAS's comparable sales for the first quarter ended May 4 were flat compared to a nearly 10% increase in last year's first quarter, thanks to an unusually cool spring and the cycling of strong comparable sales last year.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Footwear and accessories retailer DSW reported net sales for the first quarter ended May 4 of $601 million, an increase of 7.7% from $559 million for last year's first quarter. Comparable sales for the quarter decreased by 2.4%, following an increase of 7.6% during the 13-week period ended April 28, 2012.

NEW YORK — Foot Locker has appointed former PepsiCo human resources executive Paulette Alviti as the company’s SVP and chief human resources officer. 

Alviti has an extensive background in human resources, both domestically and internationally, with experience in organizational capability and training, talent acquisition and development, employee engagement and communications for the corporate office and field organization.

IRVINE, Calif. — Tilly’s comparable store sales for March and April improved over February for the first quarter ended May 4, buoyed partly by the spring break and pre-Easter periods.

The company’s total net sales were $109 million, an increase of 13% from $96,524 for the first quarter ended April 28, 2012. Comparable store sales, which include e-commerce sales, increased 1.1% compared to the first quarter of 2012. E-commerce sales were $12.6 million, an increase of 16% compared to the first quarter of 2012.

New York -- Consumer confidence climbed to the highest level in more than five years, according to The Conference Board. The group’s closely-watched sentiment index rose to 76.2 in May, the highest since February 2008, and up from a reading of 69.0 in April.

The expectations index jumped to 82.4 in May from 74.3 in April to mark the highest level in seven months. The present situation index rose to 66.7 from 61.0. The share of consumers expecting more jobs to open in the next six months increased to a five-month high.

New York -- Tiffany & Co.’s net income rose a better-than-expected 3% to $83.6 million in its first quarter, up from the prior year’s $81.5 million, boosted by sales improvement across all its regions, particularly Asia. Global same-store sales rose 8% during the quarter.

The earnings bump came on a 9% worldwide net sales increase to $895 million. In the Americas region, total sales rose 6% to $408 million. Same-store sales rose 3% with relatively stronger growth in the New York flagship store.

Minneapolis -- Female consumers are looking for value and deeper connections, according to results of the fifth annual “What Women Want” survey. The study, conducted by Ginger Consulting, indicates that women are responsible for or influence $7 trillion of annual purchases in the U.S., including 85% of all consumer and business purchases and 60% of automobile purchases,

Birmingham, Ala. – Hibbett sports reported a slight dip in net income during first quarter fiscal 2013, although same-store sales and net sales showed some improvement. Net income for the quarter totaled $26.2 million, down slightly from $26.4 million a year earlier. Same-store sales slightly rose 0.8%, while net sales increased 3% from $232.9 million to $240 million. Net income fell short of Wall Street estimates.

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By Dan McKone, [email protected]

More than 12.5 billion catalogs are mailed out to U.S. homes each year. But has their effectiveness waned as more customers head online? Are catalogs reliable money-makers or have they just become an inefficient necessity eating away at your bottom line? The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle.