Retail Stores

New York City residents spent nearly $200 million at about a dozen Wal-Mart stores in the New York metropolitan area in 2010, up about 20 percent from the amount reported in a previous 12-month period, the company said. Although it doesn't have any stores in New York City, the chain is determined to break into the market and is working to overcome opposition from labor, community and small business groups. An ad campaign being launched in three dozen community newspapers blames "special interests" for keeping it out.

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and retailers are hoping consumers are using the old "How much does he love me? Let me count the ways" saying as motivation for earning brownie points with their loved one by purchasing Valentine's Day gifts this year.

The NRF's 100th Annual Convention & EXPO was attended by more than 18,500 retail professionals from 74 countries. (The press room alone was a mini United Nations). The 175,000 square foot expo hall at the cavernous Jacob Javits Center was filled with more than 500 solution providers offering state-of-the-art technologies and services. In addition, there were more than 120 educational sessions to choose from.

Home Depot has long been known as the no-frills bastion of tools, lumber and other products that appeal to the tool belt-wearing set. Now, it's going for the softer side hoping to attract more women who are into things like redecorating. It's even recruited none other than Martha Stewart to help with the effort.

The snow sports market sold more than $1 billion worth of equipment, apparel and accessories in December alone, and reached $2.1 billion season-to-date according to data released by SnowSports Industries America. This is the first time in history ski and snowboard retail sales have topped a billion dollars in a single month.

The private-label market has enjoyed sales growth in recent years that isn't likely to decrease in the near future. Private-label companies continue to introduce better-for-you products and more attractive packaging, all while being easier on consumers’ pockets. Their efforts seem to be working, since recent Mintel research found that 44 percent of grocery shoppers believe store brand products are of better quality today than they were five years ago.

What labor of love? This Valentine's Day couples are once again eager to shower their loved ones with special gifts. According to a recent NRF survey, the average person will shell out $116.21 on traditional Valentine's Day merchandise this year, up 11 percent pver last year's $103.00. 

As China stays on course to become the globe's largest economy, China's traditional New Year celebration, also called the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, looms as a key gauge of Chinese spending habits and the health of its economy — just as the Christmas holiday season takes the U.S. spending pulse.

It's a familiar and widely acknowledged fact that large retail chains, shopping centers and casinos design their floor layouts to intentionally try and guide consumers along a somewhat confusing path in order to keep them away from the exit and get them to see as much of their merchandise as possible

The definition of a grocery store has dramatically changed in recent years, especially with large retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target now a part of the mix.