New Web site analyzes Wal-Mart’s political influence — Although Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton believed his company should not be involved in politics, Wal-Mart Watch unveiled a new Web site, waltoninfluence.com, on Oct. 10 to chronicle the history of the retail chain’s political weight. After Walton’s death, the chain’s lobbying expenditures for outside firms...
Retail Industry Archive
October 2008
Less than two weeks after reporting a $239.2 million second-quarter 2009 loss, the Washington Post is reporting that Circuit City, the consumer electronics giant, lost a recommendation from Bernard Sands, a consulting firm that sells credit and performance data to manufacturers on their retailing customers. The withdrawal by Sands signaled concerns that Circuit City may have trouble paying its...
A new feature from your BNET.com Retail Team debuts this morning, because I just can’t take any more bad news (Old Navy comps down 24 percent in September! Sweet Mother of God!): Send me success stories. Send me big ideas to make it through the next couple of months. I have a couple I’ll post later today, from Multichannel Merchant magazine and retail consultant Robert Gordman. People...
Costco same-store U.S. sales rise 9 percent during quarter – While many retailers are fighting to keep their heads above water, Costco Wholesale’s latest figures prove a tight economy means relatively smooth sailing for the Issaquah-based company. Costco’s fourth-quarter profit rose 6.8 percent to $397.8 million, and revenue increased 12.8 percent to $23.1 billion....
The News: Everybody figured September retail sales would be awful, and everybody was right. JC Penney CEO Myron Ullman says shoppers are saving for the holidays. Ever the optimist, Mike. The Winners: Discounters who sell food. B.J.’s Wholesale Club’s September same-store sales, net of fuel, rose 5.6 percent, but the store noted that general merchandise categories such as televisions and...
A textual analysis of American Eagle Outfitters’ Facebook fan page reveals information that brand managers would kill for: what irritates the teen apparel store’s most loyal customers. More than 106,000 Facebook users have signed on as “fans” of American Eagle, and the retailer takes advantage by posting links to its site, photos of clothes, sale announcements, and places for people...
Internet retailers discuss dreary business outlook at conference– When a group of CEOs representing some of the Web’s largest retailers gathered recently at the NetLeaders Forum in Denver, they agreed sagging sales will continue as the “worst is yet to come.” Liberty Media Senior VP Michael Zeisser said there has never been a more urgent time to focus sharply on the...
Tyco buys Vue – Tyco International announced the $43 million acquisition of Vue Technology, a provider of radio-frequency identification technology, on Oct. 7. The purchase will help Tyco, which outfits retailers with security services, improve the technology portfolio offered through its Sensormatic business. Vue Technology allows retailers to track individual items through the supply...
You could have rolled a bowling ball down the wide corridors of FlatIron Crossing Mall in Broomfield, Colo., Monday night — and not hit a soul. It was dismal, with one exception: the Apple Store. While most of the shop space was a bleak recurring story, the Apple Store was heaving, with lots of people hanging around the Genius Bar at the back of the store and others playing with iPhones...
Despondent about market news and what it’s doing to the consumer mood right before the holidays? Take a look at WWD’s roundup of a retailer panel at last week’s RBC Capital Markets Consumer Conference. Urban Outfitters and their sister brands, Anthropologie and Free People, are optimistic. Really. American Eagle, Tween Brands and Casual Male a little less so. Philadelphia-based Urban saw...
- QVC Black Friday Marathon Starts Run for Cyber Monday
- Target Talks Cheap as Black Friday Battle Beckons
- Sears Face(book)s Black Friday
- Target Pumping Up Its Image with the Right Food
- Costco Challenges Coke and the Stakes Could Be High
- When Walmart Comes to Town, Other Retailers Self Destruct
- Blackhawk Part Two: Gift Cards Replace Banks as Consumers Get Creative
- Target Is Missing a Big Opportunity to Open More Urban Stores
- Blackhawk Helping Supermarkets Grab a Chunk of Everyone's Gift Card Business
- The New Normal Won't Emerge as a Walmart World
- Would You Bet on Black Friday?: Q&A With Bookmaker.com
- Macy's Holiday Prospects May Be Good But Long-Term Chances Murkier
- Supermarkets Adding Bars So Gourmet Consumers Will Entertain Thoughts of Shopping
- CVS Retail Operations Power Forward
- Timing Is Right for Rue21's IPO, if it Doesn't Overexpand
- TheFind.com Give Bargain Hunters More Options Online
- Costco Challenges Coke and the Stakes Could Be High
- Wal-Mart, Target and Costco Shine as Private Labels Challenge National Brands
- Walmart Garanimals Expansion Signals Gentler Approach to Holidays
- Booksellers Take On Walmart, Target, Amazon Over Discounts -- But It's Just Business as Usual
- Pizza and Cupcakes Keep 'em Coming to 7-Eleven as Cigarette Business Slides
- Gap Stands Behind Flailing Banana Republic
- Prediction Calls for Happy Black Friday
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- P&G Retail Push Makes Sense, Risks Aside
- Walmart Readies Smaller Stores for Smarter Growth
- Duckwall-ALCO Rights Itself Amidst Recession
- Lauren Conrad YouTube Tops Kohl's Online Fashion Effort
- Giant Supermarkets Seek Advantage of Small Stores
- Neil Cole Steps Out From Brother Kenneth's Shadow With Iconix -- Or Does He?
- Costco Sees Key Product Categories Turn Positive in September
- Target Fashions a Comeback from Recession with Carlos Falchi, Jean Paul Gaultier
Industry Transcripts by Seeking Alpha
- Coldwater Creek, Inc. Q3 2009 (Qtr End 10/31/09) Earnings Call Transcript
- J. Crew Group, Inc. Q3 2009 Earnings Call Transcript
- Zale Corporation F1Q10 (Qtr End 10/31/09) Earnings Call Transcript
- Borders Group Inc. Q3 2009 Earnings Call Transcript
- American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. Q3 2009 (Qtr End 10/31/09) Earnings Call Transcript
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