Data & Analytics

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. — Once again, consumers are putting off back-to-school shopping until the last minute, but retailers can take solace in the fact that they intend to spend more this year.

According to NPD's survey, 31% of respondents said they plan to spend more this year, compared with 22% who made that claim in 2011. The number of consumers who plan to spend less went from 38% in 2011 to 24% this year, while those who plan to spend the same rose from 40% to 46%.

LOS ANGELES — Back-to-school shoppers plan on stretching their dollar and taking advantage of retailer incentives to save, PriceGrabber said.

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Hasbro reported that net revenues for the quarter were $811.5 million, a decrease of 11%, compared with $908.5 million in 2011. Second quarter 2012 net revenues declined 7% excluding a negative $34.4 million impact of foreign exchange.

Net earnings for the second quarter 2012 were $43.4 million, or 33 cents per diluted share, versus $58.1 million, or 42 cents per diluted share, in 2011.

And the winner is… Oracle selects technology executive at Chile’s top department store chain for ultimate honor.

The average American has never heard of the Falabella chain of department stores, but the company dominates its home market of Chile and is regarded as a leader in the use of technology. So much so that when Oracle held its annual Retail Excellence Awards recently, it named Falabella’s VP technology and development, Julius Odian, as its Retailer Executive of the Year.

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. — Wet Seal has terminated the employment of its CEO, Susan McGalla, and has begun a search for a new executive to head the struggling young women's apparel retailer.

Until such a person is found, Wet Seal president and COO and Steve Benrubi, CFO, will serve as co-principal execuitve officers and members of the office of the chairman, led by Hal Kahn, until a new CEO is elected by the board of directors.

For the month-to-date, Wet Seal's comps have declined between 13% and 14%.

Teen retailer Five Below is looking to become a household name following a wildly successful public stock offering this week that could see the company expand its store base from the current 200 units to 2,000.

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. — Samsung Electronics America Inc.received the highest customer satisfaction ranking in three categories in the annual J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Kitchen and Laundry Appliance StudiesSM. The company was a winner in the refrigeration category for the seventh year out of the last eight years, the dryer category for the fifth consecutive year and the washer category for the fourth consecutive year.

Safeway’s recently rolled out Just 4 U loyalty program has chairman and CEO Steve Burd optimistic about the grocer’s prospects for sales growth and market share gains. Read more in this special report.