Data & Analytics

Cargo volumes at U.S. ports are forecast to increase 3.9% this month following a 5.6% decline in November. That’s the good news, but now retailers and suppliers have to worry about the possibility of a strike at East coast ports.

The strike by workers at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach negatively affected container volumes in November, but resolution of the strike after eight days meant disruption in December was limited to just two days, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report compiled by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates

STAMFORD, Conn. — Pitney Bowes has landed a six-year contract with the U.S. Postal Service.

In accordance with the contract, valued at up to $32 million for meters and meter supplies, Pitney Bowes will provide USPS with support and maintenance of its network of postal meters. USPS will be able to nationally standardize its meter needs using a single leading edge design. The contract also includes the provision of systems and support to meet the U.S. Joint Military Postal Command’s needs nationally and internationally.

New York -- After nearly a year of steady gains, the Deloitte Consumer Spending Index (Index) fell in November due to a slowdown in the rise of new home prices and an accelerating decline in real wages. The Index tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending.
 

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS Caremark executives expressed optimism going into 2013 and outlined its strategic growth framework during its annual Analyst Day held on Thursday in New York City.

Chicago -- Shoppers continued their holiday quest during the week ending Dec. 8, according to ShopperTrak. Consumer activity drove a 7.8% increase in foot traffic and 6.5% increase in sales from the previous week.  

Consumers, however, were not as active as they were at this time last year, and retail foot traffic decreased 0.7% and sales decreased 1.5% when compared to the same period in 2011.
    

San Francisco -- Revel Systems, a provider of iPad point-of-sale solutions, announced that its cloud-based POS system has been chosen by Griffin Technology and is now live in its five United States-based MicroStores.

Revel Systems’ POS solution connects the retail locations through its cloud-based system so that data can be easily pulled in real-time, a major benefit over other server-based solutions.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Thursday by the Commerce Department said that U.S. retail sales rose 0.3% in November from October, reflecting a bounce back after the effects of superstorm Sandy. Excluding fuel, retail sales increased a solid 0.8%. The median forecast of 81 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a 0.5% rise.

The 0.3% rise offsets a 0.3% dip in October from September.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Pier 1 Imports reported Thursday that net income for the third quarter rose 3% to $23.7 million, compared with $23 million in the year-ago period. Results matched Wall Street expectations.

Revenue rose 11% to $424.5 million from $382.7 million, beating analysts’ expectations of $422.2 million in revenue. Same-store sales increased 7.9%.

Corte Madera, Calif. -- Restoration Hardware Holdings Inc. reported Wednesday net income for the third quarter of $1.7 million, compared with a loss of $4.8 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 22% to $284.2 million and same-store sales surged 29%.

The home furnishings retailer went public in November.

Growth in sales and membership income at Costco helped the company produce earnings per share of 95 cents and beat analysts’ estimates by two cents.