Data & Analytics

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart’s U.S. stores division regained customer traffic during the fourth quarter to post a 1.5% same-store sales increase and continues gather momentum as familiar strategies and effective marketing are resonating with customers, the company said Tuesday morning in conjunction with the release of quarterly results.

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. 

NEW YORK — Saks Inc. fourth-quarter net income climbed 48% amid strong sales of handbags, fine jewelry and men's and women's apparel. The earnings topped expectations.

For the period ended Jan. 28, Saks earned $37 million, compared with $25 million last year. Quarterly revenue rose 7% to $925.1 million from $866.3 million, beating Wall Street's $918.9 million estimate.

Same-store sales were up 7.7%.

Saks Direct has an increase of about 21%. Saks said revenue at Off 5th stores open at least a year was weaker than expected.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Publix Super Markets and Nordstrom are the highest ranked bricks-and-mortar retailers in a report released Tuesday by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). While supermarkets overall are up 1.3% to 76, Publix remains the grocer to beat, with a score of 84.

The best of the best among all retailers — traditional or online — is Amazon, with a score of 86, followed by online retailer Newegg at 85. Next in line are two more websites: Overstock at 83 and eBay at 81.

Fort Worth, Texas -- RadioShack Corp. reported a steep decline in fourth quarter profit this morning. Its results, however, were in line with its January warning to investors.

The chain posted a profit of $11.9 million, compared to a profit of $57 million in the prior year. Total fourth-quarter sales rose 5.9% to $1.39 billion. Same-store sales fell 1.4%. 
 

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.

New York City -- Barnes & Noble reported that its net income for the 13 weeks ended Jan. 28 fell 14% to $52 million, compared with $60.6 million as rising costs offset higher sales for both physical and digital books. The company also said it will introduce a cheaper Nook Tablet, with eight gigabytes of memory for $199. (Its current device sells for $249.)

Revenue rose 5% to $2.44 billion. Revenue from Nook e-readers and its digital catalog rose 38% to $542 million. The company estimates it now has a 27% to 30% share of the U.S. e-book market.

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Publix Super Markets and Nordstrom are the highest ranked bricks-and-mortar retailers in a report released Tuesday by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). While supermarkets overall are up 1.3% to 76, Publix remains the grocer to beat, with a score of 84.

The best of the best among all retailers — traditional or online — is Amazon, with a score of 86, followed by online retailer Newegg at 85. Next in line are two more websites: Overstock at 83 and eBay at 81.

New York City -- Saks Inc. fourth-quarter net income climbed 48% amid strong sales of handbags, fine jewelry and men's and women's apparel. The earnings topped expectations.

For the period ended Jan. 28, Saks earned $37 million, compared with $25 million last year. Quarterly revenue rose 7% to $925.1 million from $866.3 million, beating Wall Street's $918.9 million estimate.

Same-store sales were up 7.7%.

Cincinnati -- Macy’s net income in the three months ended Jan. 28 rose a better-than-expected 12% to $745 million as the chain, buoyed by strong holiday and online sales. The company has now seen net income rise in three straight quarters.