Data & Analytics

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Same store sales at Walmart's U.S. stores declined 1.4% in the first quarter, but the retailer forecasts comps should rebound during the second quarter. 

Sales were just below Wall Street expectations as the giant retailer struggled with a number of issues that impacted its U.S. sales, from the payroll tax increase to an unseasonably cold spring to delayed tax returns. The discounter also scaled back its earnings expectations for the current three-month period.

ECRM compared retail circular advertising in April 2012 vs. April 2013 and noticed some common overall trends across top retail chains.  While looking at the data, the biggest change from April 2012 to April 2013 came from Lowe’s Home Improvement.

Kohl's Corp. reported a 5% drop in first-quarter profit on weak sales due to unseasonably cold weather in large parts of the United States.

Kohl's net income fell to $147 million in the quarter ended May 4, down from $154 million a year earlier.

Sales fell 1% to $4.2 billion. Comparable-store sales fell 1.9%.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kenmore, one of Sears Holding Company’s key proprietary brands, has turned 100. The brand made its debut on sewing machines in 1913. Since then it has expanded to refrigerators, washing machines, dryers and dish washers. 

Los Angeles -- The Kroger Co.  unveiled a clean energy production system that will convert food that can't be sold or donated into clean energy to help power its Ralphs/Food 4 Less distribution center in Compton, Calif.

ARMONK, N.Y. -- Consumers shopping online for Mother’s Day gifts was up 15%, spurred by mobile commerce growth of 23% over 2012, according to IBM’s Digital Analytics Benchmark, a cloud-based analysis of the online retail market.

Walpole, Mass. -- Walmart announced the completion of eight new solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays in Massachusetts, celebrating with an event at its Walpole store.

St. Petersburg. Fla. – HSN has promoted former executive VP and CFO Judy Schmeling to the new position of CEO and CFO. In her new role, she will be responsible for supply chain operations and customer care functions in addition to continuing her responsibility for finance and IT. Schmeling will oversee these areas for both the HSN and Cornerstone brands.

Cincinnati -- Macy’s reported increases in sales and income for the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period a year earlier, despite cool weather that delayed spring shopping in key markets. Net income was $217 million, a 20% hike from $181 million in the year-ago period.  

While net income slightly beat analyst predictions, same-store sales rose 3.8%, short of the 4.3% expected by analysts. Net sales totaled $6.39 billion, up 4% from $6.14 billion in the year-ago period.

For the first time in quite some time, attendees at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Spring Convention in Las Vegas (RECon) might be hoping that what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas. There is no doubt in my mind that all the signs are pointing to an event that looks very different than the last few years. The convention runs from Sunday, May 19th through Wednesday, May 22nd at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and will play host to more than 30,000 attendees, around 1,000 exhibitors, and a renewed sense of enthusiasm about the future of our industry.