Data & Analytics

New York City -- Retail sales in February rose in most categories ranging from clothing to furniture, despite winter storms and rising gas prices, MasterCard Advisors' SpendingPulse, which tracks spending in all forms including cash. While the increase maintains the positive performance that began in fall 2010. However, February’s year-over-year growth rates were smaller in most categories than those recorded in the November 2010 through January 2011 period.

Naperville, Ill. — OfficeMax announced that is unveiling a new and improved version of its TUL branded dry erase markers.

TUL dry erase markers feature non-toxic ink formula with reduced odor, a rubberized grip, ergonomic square design, and built-in magnets compatible with magnetic dry-erase boards. The lineup also includes an eraser on the cap of each marker as well as a separate magnetic eraser.

New York City -- Kmart is now offering paperless receipts, according to a report in the Detroit Examiner.

Customers who sign up for the chain’s My Rewards program are given the chance to opt-in to the new paperless offer. In the program My Rewards members make a purchase at the store and the receipt is sent by e-mail. Unless the receipt is printed at home or work by the customer there is no paper.

 ISSAQUAH, Wash. and WESTBOROUGH, Mass. -- The past three-months were favorable to the warehouse sector, as both Costco and BJ’s Wholesale reported quarterly results that were in-line with or beat analysts’ expectations.

New York City -- Seiko Epson Corp. ("Epson") has been named a Sustainability Leader and awarded Silver Class status in the SAM "Sustainability Yearbook 2011.”

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The weak sales and profits reported Wednesday by West Coast sporting goods retailer Big 5 weren’t a surprise, as the company had warned Wall Street more than a month ago that financial results would be below expectations. 

New York City -- While Walmart and Target continue to closely contend on price, Target’s basket price came in less expensive in the latest semi-annual pricing study by Kantar Retail.

“Walmart’s price positioning reveals that it has largely returned to a blanket EDLP approach, while Target’s TPC positioning is centered on price promotions to drive guests’ impressions and achieve actual basket price leadership,” said Leon Nicholas, senior VP of Retail Insights for Kantar Retail and contributor to the study. 

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix on Tuesday disclosed a 4.4% increase in its fourth-quarter sales, reaching $6.4 billion, while comparable-store sales for quarter also rose 3.2%.

Net earnings for the retailer totaled $342.1 million, compared with $284.2 million in the year-ago period, an increase of 20.4%. Earnings per share for the fourth quarter increased to 44 cents for 2010, up from 36 cents per share in 2009.