The top February same-store sales gains should come from warehouse club operator Costco and Saks, with estimated increases of 7.3 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively.
Retail Stores
As use of digital signage increases, the price of equipment comes down, consumers become more mobile savvy, and digital and mobile begin to integrate through proximity technology, it becomes increasingly important for retailers to consider these new forms of communication.
Wall Street bankers, the ultrawealthy and even upper-middle class shoppers are once again snapping up diamond rings, $10,000 handbags and designer gowns, priming the luxury sector for more deals.
Dillard's said that its net income grew 38 percent in the fourth quarter as its sales improved and it better controlled expenses and inventory, sending shares up sharply in after-hours trading.
Barnes & Noble reported that net income for the quarter ended Jan. 29 decreased 24.7 percent to $60.6 million, from $80.4 million a year earlier. Although the chain returned to profitability after three straight quarters in the red, its increase in revenue was lower than expected.
According to the National Retail Federation's 2011 Tax Returns Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, 13.2 percent of Americans will spend their refund on a big-ticket item. But with the economy also serving as a reminder that itโs best to be financially prepared for the worst, more people will also put their refunds away for a rainy day.
Cabela's use of analytics tools that measure how quickly its salespeople engaged customers led to staffing increases โ and higher sales โ in its shoe and gun departments in Q4.
Lowe's gave a lackluster outlook for the current quarter despite strong fourth-quarter results, and its shares fell. The company, which recently laid off about 1,700 middle managers, expects first-quarter earnings of 34 cents to 38 cents a share, while analysts were expecting 38 cents a share.
Office Depot said that it narrowed its loss in the quarter ended Dec. 25 to $58 million, compared with a loss of $77 million in the year-ago period. Total sales dropped 3 percent to $3 billion.
Macyโs reported that net income jumped 50 percent in the fourth quarter ended Jan. 29, and projected its full-year profit would meet Wall Street expectations. After a strong holiday season, the retailer earned $667 million in the fourth quarter, compared with $445 million in the year-ago period.