Data & Analytics

By Chris Blees, [email protected]

New York City -- A study released Wednesday by the International Council of Shopping Centers found that determining what office workers spend going to work, during the business day, and immediately after work prior to returning home can provide a better understanding of the opportunities that exist for retail, restaurant, and service establishments in proximity to office parks or buildings.

Among the survey highlights:

Folsom, Calif. -- Commercial refrigeration manufacturer Hill Phoenix said Wednesday it teamed with Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market to open a new GreenChill Platinum Award-winning Fresh & Easy store in Folsom, Calif.

GreenChill is an E.P.A. partnership with food retailers to reduce refrigerant emissions and decrease their impact on the ozone layer and climate change.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- In a move to ensure that vendors continue to supply Sears its goods, Sears Holdings Corp.'s top shareholder ESL Investments, a hedge fund owned by Edward Lampert, has agreed to assume some payment obligations.

In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday and reported by Reuters, Sears said ESL made a deal on Jan. 26 with a financial institution to acquire 80% interest in an agreement designed to ensure payment to vendors in the event of a bankruptcy filing by a company.

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Ross Stores Inc. reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended Jan. 28 rose 19% to $192 million, from $161.8 million last year. A profitable holiday season helped boost the discounter’s results, which met Wall Street expectations.

Sales surged almost 12% to $2.4 billion, and same-store sales increased 7%.

For the full year, Ross reported a net income rise of 18% to $657.2 million. Sales increased 9% to $8.6 billion, with same-store sales up 5%.

WASHINGTON — February retail sales rose 8.6% over last year, marking 20 consecutive months of sustained growth, The National Retail Federation reported Tuesday.

The seasonally adjusted increase -- stronger than expected -- was 0.5%, which excludes automobiles, gas stations and restaurants.

The 7% same-store sales increase Target reported in February was achieved with only a slight bump in promotional activity, according to the latest monthly data from research firm Market Track. Conversely, the number of ad pages that such competitors as Walmart and Kmart ran increased at twice the rate as Target, while Kohl’s and Macy’s declined. To view Market Track’s recap of February promotional activity at Target and other top retailers, click here.

The number of eco-labels in the marketplace continues to grow. According to Ecolabelindex (http://www.ecolabelindex.com/%3C/a%3E, Oct 27), 426 labels circulate in 246 countries and 25 industries. Most commentators are quick to point out the negative consequences: consumer confusion, disinterest and mistrust. However, there is a growing wave of large companies that pursue product certification to appeal to and meet compliance demands from their B2B customers, including retailers.

Nothing is ever as easy as it seems in the retail industry. Take Target’s decision to not sell denim jeans that have been distressed using the sand blasting method. That means the company or its suppliers now have to amend or implement some type of reporting infrastructure and audit protocol to ensure any distressed jeans Target sells achieved their weathered look through appropriate means. For an insightful look at the issues of eco-labels and the certification process that underpins the validity of such claims, check out this column from Deloitte Consulting executive Chris Park.

Los Angeles -- Guess reported Wednesday that net earnings dipped 7.2% to $95.9 million for the quarter ended Jan. 28, compared with $103.3 million a year earlier.

Revenue for the quarter edged up 2.5% to $775.8 million, from $756.9 million. Same-store sales dropped 5% in the quarter.

The retailer’s greatest strength came from the performance of its Asian segment, which saw revenue surge 27.5% to $70.6 million in the fourth quarter.