Data & Analytics

Average spending per school age child is expected to decline this year from 2012 levels, according to the National Retail Federation, setting the stage for heightened competition in an already intensely competitive seasonal selling period.

NRF said spending per child in grades K-12 would decline to $634 in 2013 compared to $688 last year and spending per college student would decline to $836 from $907. The trade group forecast total K-12 spending of $26.7 billion and total back-to-college spending of $45.8 billion for a combined market size of $72.5 billion.

Bensalem, Pa. -- Philly It Cheesesteaks and MGM Financial Strategies Inc. have signed leases at the 43,550-sq.-ft. Centre Plaza in Bensalem, Pa., according to Levin Management Corp.

Philly It Cheesesteaks opened a 1,700-sq.-ft. in the spring, while MGM Financial Strategies Inc. will follow with a 1,700-sq.-ft. opening this summer or fall.

The Global Market Development Center has appointed Jason Weber as its new member services manager and Joshua Manweiler as its new communications specialist as part of its strategy to enhance membership services. 

Pleasanton, Calif. – Safeway reported a substantial decline in net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 as well as a drop in sales. Adjusted net income for the quarter was $8.4 million, compared to $122.7 million in the same quarter a year earlier. However, after adjusting for various legal expenses and loss from discontinued operations, net income for the quarter would have been $125.1 million.

Safeway digested an unprecedented amount of change during the second quarter and still managed to achieve solid profit improvement and a respectable amount of sales growth while strengthening its balance sheet.

Cleveland – The Sherwin-Williams Company reported increases in net sales, diluted income per share and same-store sales during second quarter fiscal 2013. Consolidated net sales increased 5.5% to a record $2.71 billion in the quarter, up from roughly $2.6 billion the previous year. The company credited acquisitions, with some offsetting negative impact from unfavorable currency translation rates, for the net sales boost.

SALT LAKE CITY — Overstock.com reported net revenue of $293.2 million for the second quarter ended June 30, a 22% increase from $239.5 million for the same quarter last year. The growth in net revenue was primarily due to a 21% increase in average order size.

Chattanooga, Tenn. -- The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning.

A joint venture and co-development of CBL & Associates Properties and Horizon Group Properties, the 370,000-sq.-ft. center features a host of national brands and designer outlets.

Located north of Atlanta at a newly constructed exit off Interstate 575, more than 112,000 vehicles pass the site daily. The center is also convenient to travelers on Interstates 75, 85, and 20.