Data & Analytics

New Canaan, Conn. -- The retail industry will grow by 5.1% in 2011, the strongest growth in four years, according to Customer Growth Partners’ 2011 Forecast and Outlook. The New Canaan, Conn.-based consulting and research firm projects that the industry will create over half a million new jobs in 2010, the most of any employment sector, and that retail sales will reach a record level of almost $2.9 trillion.

Cleveland-based Sherwin-Williams reported fourth-quarter net income of $72.9 million, up 11.6% from $65.3 million reported for the same period last year.

Sales for the quarter ended Dec. 31 were $1.89 billion, up 18.8% from $1.59 billion reported for the same period in 2009.

For the full year, the company reported net income of $462.4 million, up 6.1% from $435.8 million for fiscal year 2009.

Sales for 2010 totaled $7.77 billion, up 9.5% from $ 7.09 billion reported last year.

The retail industry will grow by 5.1% in 2011, the strongest growth in four years, according to Customer Growth Partners 2011 Forecast and Outlook. The New Canaan, Conn.-based consulting and research firm projects that the industry will create over half a million new jobs in 2011, the most of any employment sector, and that retail sales will reach a record level of almost $2.9 trillion.

New York City -- Ikea plans to use solar energy in its store under construction in the Denver suburb of Centennial. Pending governmental permits, installation of solar panels on the store’s roof will begin in February, with completion by grand opening this fall.

Washington, D.C. -- The Conference Board said Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence Index reached its highest level in eight months as Americans grew more optimistic about the job market.

The Index climbed to 60.6 this month, up from 53.3 in December. While that reading surpassed expectations, it still falls short of the 90 level that indicates a healthy consumer mindset.

The January figure was the highest since last May's 62.7, and hasn’t been above 90 since the recession began in December 2007.

By Lara Greden, lgreden@verisae.com

Horseheads, N.Y. -- Salient Management Co. said Monday that Paul Osinski has joined the company as senior VP commercial sales, covering the retail, manufacturing, CPG, wholesaling and direct store delivery industries.

Osinski was previously an independent consultant; before that he spent 23 years with Stamford, Conn.-based private brand sales and marketing company Daymon Worldwide, most recently as senior VP.

Osinski reports directly to Guy Amisano, Salient chairman and CEO.

DALLAS -- Tuesday Morning reported that net income for the quarter ended Dec. 31 was $17.3 million, compared with $18.5 million in the year-ago period.

Net sales decreased 3.6% to $279.3 million from $289.6 million. Same-store sales decreased 3.2%.

According to Kathleen Mason, president and CEO: "We anticipate that we will return to positive comparable sales for the remainder of the fiscal year.” Tuesday Morning reported four consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth prior to the second quarter.