Why Out-of-stocks, Data Mismatch, and Hidden Demand Still Catch Out Beauty Brands When beauty brands review retail performance, the picture often looks reassuring. Availability appears high. Sales reports feel complete. Forecasts are built on what was sold. But our conversations with brands working directly with Ulta and Sephora reveal a more complicated reality. One where... Read more »
September 4, 2014 Walgreens reported August sales of $6.4 billion, an increase of 3.6% from the same month in fiscal 2013. Total sales for fiscal 2014 were $76.4 billion, an increase of 5.8% from fiscal 2013. Total front-end sales increased 2.1% in August compared with the same month in fiscal 2013, while comparable-store front-end sales… Read more »
September 5, 2014 Dollar Tree and Family Dollar have amended their merger agreement to include a commitment by Dollar Tree to divest as many stores as necessary or advisable to obtain antitrust clearance for the previously announced cash and stock transaction. All other terms and conditions of the merger agreement remain the same as announced… Read more »
September 5, 2014 Family Dollar has rejected the revised proposal made by Dollar General on September 2 on the basis of antitrust regulatory considerations. The Dollar General offer may be financially superior, the dollar store noted, but it’s not likely to pass muster with the Federal Trade Commission. “Our board of directors, with the assistance… Read more »
September 5, 2014 NRF calculated retail industry (excluding auots and gasoline) employment declined by 17,700 jobs in August, with significant downward revisions for July and June. Loss leaders included food and beverage stores, which witnessed a 17,000 job loss, possibly suggesting a seasonal or category-specific anomaly. “Employment figures for August were undoubtedly disappointing and lackluster,”… Read more »
September 3, 2014 August posts strong increase following small loss in July Large gains for California, Michigan, Illinois and Florida Online advertised vacancies gained 164,600 to 5,209,200 in August, according to The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine (HWOL) Data Series released today. The July Supply/Demand rate stands at 1.9 unemployed for each advertised vacancy with a… Read more »
September 3, 2014 CVS Caremark is changing its corporate name to CVS Health to reflect its broader health care commitment and its expertise in driving the innovations needed to shape the future of health. “For our patients and customers, health is everything and CVS Health is changing the way health care is delivered to increase… Read more »
September 2, 2014 Fred’s second quarter results reflected the company’s strategic decision to build its business model for the future as a convenience/pharmacy-centric store, driven by data-based inventory management, according to CEO Bruce Efird. The company reported a net loss of $16.4 million for the quarter. Fred’s total sales for the second quarter of fiscal… Read more »
September 2, 2014 Serious labor shortages in the world’s advanced economies will create unprecedented challenges for business leaders and policymakers over the next fifteen years and beyond, according to a comprehensive new report released today by The Conference Board. From Not Enough Jobs to Not Enough Workers forecasts the impact of aging populations to compound… Read more »
August 31, 2014 Improved merchandising strategies and marketing execution at Big Lots has president and CEO David Campisi feeling good about prospects for a company that continues to distance itself from its closeout roots. Big Lots produced a 1.7% same store sales increase during its second quarter ended August 2 and generated earnings per share… Read more »
September 2, 2014 New Orders, Employment and Production Growing; Inventories Growing; Supplier Deliveries Slowing Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in August for the 15th consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 63rd consecutive month, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report on Business. The report was issued… Read more »
