Data & Analytics

NEW YORK — Target's flat apparel and accessories for the month of November reflected a mixed sales environment across the department-store and specialty-apparel sectors as the economy continues to affect discretionary spending.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General posted another quarter of strong sales and earnings as the company's value proposition still resonates with cash-strapped consumers. The company reported that net income for its third quarter was $171 million, 50 cents per diluted share, compared with net income of $128 million, or diluted EPS of 37 cents, in the third of fiscal 2010. The company reported that same-store sales increased 6.3% for the quarter. 

Hingham, Mass. -- It’s official: Talbots Inc. is seeking a new CEO as it works to turn around its struggling business. The retailer said Monday that president and CEO Trudy Sullivan plans to retire as soon as a successor is named.

The company said it has created a search committee of independent board members and hired executive search firm Spencer Stuart to assist in its search.

New York City -- A new report from Pike Research forecasts that LEDs will capture 52% of the commercial lighting market by 2021. Pike, a cleantech market intelligence firm, anticipates that LED lighting costs for various SSL products will be reduced by 80% to 90% in many cases during the next decade.

CHICAGO — While retail sales during the Black Friday weekend increased this year, it seems that foot traffic may have dropped, according to a new report by ShopperTrak.

As retailers assess what worked and what didn’t in terms of Black Friday promotions and Thanksgiving weekend sales, overall there are a few things that stand out.

Dallas -- Venture Commercial Real Estate said it represented L.A. Fitness in the completion of a long-term lease for a 50,000-sq.-ft. facility in the new Cityville at Cityplace mixed-use development, under construction in Dallas.

“Urban infill presents a challenge as we expand to open new clubs in densely populated areas such as Dallas’ Uptown neighborhood,” said John Gabriel, senior VP real estate for LA Fitness.

Venture Commercial has helped L.A. Fitness secure 27 locations across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

NEW YORK — Increases in Nook products helped offset a decline in physical book stores at Barnes & Noble during the second quarter. Total sales for the period ended Oct. 29, 2011, slipped 0.6% to $1.89 billion from $1.90 billion in the year-earlier quarter, with the biggest drop occurring at the chain’s college stores. Online revenue grew 17% in the quarter to $206 million, which the company attributed to increases in sales of ebooks and its Nook line of e-reading devices.