Data & Analytics

Washington, D.C. -- The total footprint of commercial projects certified under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System has surpassed 1 billion sq. ft.

Another 6 billion sq. ft. of projects are registered and currently working toward LEED certification worldwide. Since it was first introduced to the marketplace in 2000, more than 36,000 commercial projects have participated in LEED.
 

Minneapolis -- Target Corp.'s fiscal third-quarter earnings rose 22.6%, beating analysts' estimates, boosted by improvements in its credit-card business and rising food sales. The chain also projected a strong holiday, saying it expects an important sales measure to rise more sharply than it has in three years. It is hoping to lure more shoppers during the holidays with its updated store layout and a new credit-card program that offers 5% off all purchases.

Fort Meyers, Fla.  -- Chico’s FAS said its third-quarter profit  rose 27% to $28.8 million from $22.7 million a year ago, driven by higher sales. The results beat analysts projections.

Net sales rose 8.1% to $483 million, from $446.9 million a year ago. Same-store sales rose 3.1%.

Direct-to-consumer sales, which includes online sales and isn’t included in comparable-store sales, increased about 41% to $34.4 million in the quarter.

New York City -- According to a special national consumer poll commissioned by the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs, 31% of households plan to shop on Black Friday in 2010 compared with 26% in 2009. However, the strongest driver of Black Friday shopping is children, as 43% of households with kids are planning to shop on that day. Additionally, 37% of households reported that they plan to shop on the Saturday or Sunday after Thanksgiving.