News

Total U.S. shopper traffic in retail stores and malls for October 2012

Columbus Day and Halloween have historically brought more shoppers to stores in October. This year, however, the month saw a 4.1% decrease in retail foot traffic compared with September. October 2012 did manage to narrowly continue a trend of year-over-year improvements by posting a 1.4% increase in retail foot traffic when compared to the same month last year.

NEENAH, Wis. — Menasha Packaging on Wednesday announced receipt of two awards as part of the 69th annual National Paperboard Packaging Competition.

“Innovation and efficiency are cornerstones of the work we do every day at Menasha Packaging, so it is an honor to win these awards and be recognized by a panel of industry leaders,” stated James Snyder, general manager of Menasha Packaging’s Folding Carton facility, who accepted the award on behalf of Menasha Packaging.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s Department Stores has launched its Kohls.com Holiday Gift Shop.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings is touting its affordable and exclusive lines from and partnerships with celebrity designers Sandra Lee, Jaclyn Smith and Ty Pennington to give it an edge this holiday season.

Kmart, along with Sandra Lee and Jaclyn Smith, is inviting consumers to "decorate it forward" -- spread holiday cheer by sharing the gift of decorating and entertaining with family, friends and those in need. Decorating tips and inspiration to help others can be found www.kmart.com/DecorateItForward.

New York -- Hurricane Sandy is being held responsible for reducing U.S. retail sales in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region by about $4 billion last week, according to MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse.

According to the report, the region, which accounts for about 24% of retail sales nationwide, typically generates $18.7 billion in sales for that particular week ended Saturday, the Associated Press reported. But revenue came in at about $15 billion. (The figures exclude auto sales.)

Reston, Va. -- Online retail spending in the United States reached $41.9 billion in the third quarter, up 15% versus year ago, according to comScore. This represents the twelfth consecutive quarter of positive year-over-year growth and eighth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth.

By Jason Hamilton, [email protected]

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what the media thinks is the “next big thing” in our industry. It seems like everywhere I look, there’s another article about new mobile shopping initiatives and retail-related smartphone apps.

Cincinnati – Macy’s on Wednesday reported a better-than-expected 4.3% increase in third-quarter net income, helped by sales gains, and slightly raised its full-year profit outlook.  

Macy’s also announced that it will discontinue reporting monthly sales, beginning in fiscal 2013. Sales will continue to be reported quarterly, along with earnings and cash flow.

Spanx, the company best known for its shapewear and hosiery, has opened its first-ever freestanding location, in Tyson’s Corner Center, McLean, Va.