As you shop for the apocalypse, stores are paying a price
4 years, 7 months ago

As you shop for the apocalypse, stores are paying a price

CNN  

New York CNN Business — Americans grabbing groceries and fixing up their homes during the coronavirus pandemic have propped up top retailers’ sales. Target, Walmart, and Home Depot all reported sales increases during their latest quarters, but said that higher labor and operations costs weighed on their bottom lines. This should drive continued sales growth and help leverage the higher costs.” More groceries, less clothing Walmart, America’s largest retailer, said Tuesday that sales at stores open for at least a year rose 10%, while online sales jumped 74%. Target said Wednesday that sales at stores open for at least one year grew 10.8% during the quarter compared with the same period last year. Meanwhile, Home Depot said it spent $850 million on its expanded worker benefits during the quarter, including the expansion of paid time off for all its hourly workers, additional time off for senior citizen employees and those deemed to have higher health risks, and bonuses and higher overtime pay.

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History of this topic

Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices
Trending News
1 week, 6 days ago

Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices

Associated Press  

Sales rose this year during the holiday shopping season even as Americans wrestled with elevated prices for many groceries and other necessities, according to new data. Holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, outpacing the 3.1% increase from a year earlier, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit …

Retail sales rose at healthy pace last month in latest sign of U.S. economy’s health
3 weeks, 2 days ago

Retail sales rose at healthy pace last month in latest sign of U.S. economy’s health

LA Times  

Consumers stepped up their spending at retail stores last month, providing a boost to the economy in the early phases of the winter holiday shopping season. Retail sales rose 0.7% in November, the Commerce Department said Tuesday, a solid increase and higher than October’s 0.5% gain. Analysts envisioned a solid holiday shopping season, though perhaps not as robust as last …

Deal-hungry shoppers hit stores on Black Friday to kick off critical holiday season
1 month, 1 week ago

Deal-hungry shoppers hit stores on Black Friday to kick off critical holiday season

LA Times  

The Christmas tree is a big attraction on Black Friday at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. “Honestly, you’ve got to come in with the mentality: It’s Black Friday,” said Gus Aguirre, a Simi Valley barber, who said his family never misses the biggest shopping day of the year. They suspected they could get the same sort of deals during …

US consumers to bargain hunt in annual 'Black Friday' spree
1 month, 2 weeks ago

US consumers to bargain hunt in annual 'Black Friday' spree

Deccan Chronicle  

NEW YORK: US shoppers are coming out in force this holiday season, but the festiveness is being tempered by inflationary pressures that have abated but not completely faded. Americans are "ready to open their wallets this holiday season," said the Conference Board ahead of Black Friday -- the day after Thanksgiving, which this year, falls on November 28 -- that …

A tale of two retailers: Target reports sluggish spending while Walmart has a stellar quarter
1 month, 2 weeks ago

A tale of two retailers: Target reports sluggish spending while Walmart has a stellar quarter

Hindustan Times  

NEW YORK — Target on Wednesday reported sluggish sales and slumping profits in the fiscal third quarter as inflation-weary customers curtailed their spending on apparel and other non-essential items. A tale of two retailers: Target reports sluggish spending while Walmart has a stellar quarter The Minneapolis retailer fell short of Wall Street expectations for the quarter, and its profit and …

A tale of two retailers: Target reports sluggish spending while Walmart has a stellar quarter
1 month, 2 weeks ago

A tale of two retailers: Target reports sluggish spending while Walmart has a stellar quarter

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Target on Wednesday reported sluggish sales and slumping profits in the fiscal third quarter as inflation-weary customers curtailed their spending on apparel and other non-essential items. Costs related to a U.S. dockworkers’ strike in October also dragged on Target’s results at a time when Americans are spending more selectively, the company said. And even if Target has …

Retail sales up solidly in October as Americans showed continued willingness to spend
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Retail sales up solidly in October as Americans showed continued willingness to spend

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Americans stepped up their spending at retailers last month in the latest sign that healthy consumer spending is driving the economy’s steady growth. Retail sales rose 0.4% from September to October, the Commerce Department said Friday, a solid increase though less than the previous month’s robust 0.8% gain. “People may not love how much it costs to go …

Retail sales up solidly in October as Americans showed continued willingness to spend
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Retail sales up solidly in October as Americans showed continued willingness to spend

LA Times  

Americans stepped up their spending at retailers last month in the latest sign that healthy consumer spending is driving the economy’s steady growth. Retail sales rose 0.4% from September to October, the Commerce Department said Friday, a solid increase though less than the previous month’s robust 0.8% gain. Sales in some categories fell — furniture stores, clothing outlets and drug …

Target Cuts Prices on 2,000 Items in a Price War Ahead of Holiday Season
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Target Cuts Prices on 2,000 Items in a Price War Ahead of Holiday Season

CNN  

Target is slashing prices on 2,000 items ahead of the holiday shopping season. Some prices have dropped effective immediately on a number of items, including home goods, beauty products, food, beverages and toys. The new round of cuts affects name brands like Lego and Coffee Mate, as well as its house brands. Target will continue the price cuts through December.

Retail sales rise in August despite hit to consumer confidence
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Retail sales rise in August despite hit to consumer confidence

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy British retailers saw sales rise …

U.S. retail sales ticked up last month in sign of ongoing consumer resilience
3 months, 3 weeks ago

U.S. retail sales ticked up last month in sign of ongoing consumer resilience

LA Times  

Americans spent a bit more at retailers last month, providing a small boost to the economy just as the Federal Reserve considers how much to cut its key interest rate. Retail sales ticked up 0.1% from July to August, after jumping the most in a year and a half the previous month, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. Average paychecks, particularly …

A tale of two retailers: Target reverses sales slump while Macy’s reports another quarterly decline
4 months, 2 weeks ago

A tale of two retailers: Target reverses sales slump while Macy’s reports another quarterly decline

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Grocery aisle deals and an emphasis on affordable but stylish clothes helped Target reverse a year-long sales slump, while Macy’s on Wednesday reported another quarterly decline and said sales for the fiscal year will be weaker than expected due to a “more discriminating consumer” outlook. Macy’s posted a profit of $150 million, or 53 cents per share, …

U.S. shoppers sharply boosted spending at retailers in July despite higher prices
4 months, 3 weeks ago

U.S. shoppers sharply boosted spending at retailers in July despite higher prices

LA Times  

Americans stepped up their spending at retailers last month by the most in a year and a half, easing concerns that the economy might be weakening under the pressure of higher prices and elevated interest rates. The Commerce Department reported Thursday that retail sales jumped 1% from June to July, the biggest such increase since January 2023, after having declined …

Store closures are rocking the US market. Here’s the restaurants and retailers shutting their doors
6 months, 4 weeks ago

Store closures are rocking the US market. Here’s the restaurants and retailers shutting their doors

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery A customer walks into …

The cost-of-living crisis is seeing retailers have near-constant sales, and experts say it's a warning sign for the economy
7 months, 1 week ago

The cost-of-living crisis is seeing retailers have near-constant sales, and experts say it's a warning sign for the economy

ABC  

After navigating her small business through the pandemic, Sara Crampton was confronted with a different challenge in April last year. "With how our business works, we're buying products six months ahead of time, so we couldn't quickly change our strategy," she told The Business. "At that point in time, you're not quite sure if you're the only business that's going …

Target to lower prices on thousands of basic items as inflation sends customers scrounging for deals
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Target to lower prices on thousands of basic items as inflation sends customers scrounging for deals

Associated Press  

Target plans to cut prices on thousands of consumer basics this summer, from diapers to milk, as inflation cuts into household budgets and more Americans pay closer attention to their spending. Target launched one such collection in January called Dealworthy which includes nearly 400 basic items, ranging from clothing to electronics, that can cost less than $1, with most items …

How online shopping is saving the bricks-and-mortar store
8 months ago

How online shopping is saving the bricks-and-mortar store

Live Mint  

Store owners once viewed e-commerce as a mounting threat to their survival. Kohl’s now fulfills more than a third of its online orders in stores, Walmart more than half, and Target nearly all its sales from its network of roughly 2,000 locations, according to the companies. The pandemic sped up the integration of online and in-store shopping, as mandated closures …

Retail sales surge 0.7% in March as Americans seem unfazed by higher prices with jobs plentiful
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Retail sales surge 0.7% in March as Americans seem unfazed by higher prices with jobs plentiful

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Americans boosted spending at a hotter-than-expected pace in March, underscoring how shoppers remain resilient despite inflationary pressures and other economic challenges. Retail sales rose 0.7% last month — almost double what economists had forecast — after rising 0.9% in February, according to Commerce Department data released Monday. This is one of the strongest retail sales reports we’ve …

Grocery price inflation slowdown stumbles as supermarkets offer fewer deals
11 months, 1 week ago

Grocery price inflation slowdown stumbles as supermarkets offer fewer deals

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Grocery prices were 6.8% more expensive than a year …

Grocery therapy: Rediscovering the joys of shopping small
1 year ago

Grocery therapy: Rediscovering the joys of shopping small

Salon  

Because the early days of the pandemic were such a blur, I honestly don’t remember who gave me this advice but one thing I’ve found to be increasingly true is that when life’s tragedies, small and large, start to compound and everything begins to feel just suffocatingly big — that’s when it’s time to make your own life small again. …

Black Friday boosts retailers with sales surging in November despite fears of a tough Christmas for many shops
1 year ago

Black Friday boosts retailers with sales surging in November despite fears of a tough Christmas for many shops

Daily Mail  

Black Friday boosted shops last month with retail sales surging far more than expected. The ONS also revised data for October upwards, reporting that there was zero growth in retail sales rather than the 0.3 per cent fall previously estimated. Volumes were up 1.3 per cent in November as Brits sought out bargains, significantly better than the 0.4 per cent …

Retailers are ready to kick off Black Friday just as shoppers pull back on spending
1 year, 1 month ago

Retailers are ready to kick off Black Friday just as shoppers pull back on spending

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Retailers are kicking off the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season on Friday with a bevy of discounts and other enticements. “I don’t think is going to be some horrible business nor is it going to be some kind of explosive holiday season.” The National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, expects shoppers will …

Retail sales slip in October as consumers pull back after summer splurges
1 year, 1 month ago

Retail sales slip in October as consumers pull back after summer splurges

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Americans cut back on retail …

Retail sales rise solid 0.7% in September, reflecting US shoppers’ resilience despite higher prices
1 year, 2 months ago

Retail sales rise solid 0.7% in September, reflecting US shoppers’ resilience despite higher prices

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Americans showed their steadfast resilience and kept spending online, at restaurants and other outlets in September even as they grappled with higher prices, rising interest rates and a host of other headwinds piling up. Tuesday’s sales figures aren’t adjusted for inflation, but the cost of goods barely rose last month, so the increased spending isn’t a reflection …

CVS says it will close NINE HUNDRED stores by the end of 2024 - 10% of all its shops - as it moves to online strategy amid rampant increase in shoplifting
1 year, 3 months ago

CVS says it will close NINE HUNDRED stores by the end of 2024 - 10% of all its shops - as it moves to online strategy amid rampant increase in shoplifting

Daily Mail  

Rival Walgreens also plans to shut 150 stores as part of a modernization drive CVS is set to close hundreds of stores across the country as it undergoes a complete retail overhaul – as more outlets move towards online sellers amid rampant increases in crime. The chain's stock price rose after the 2021 announcement stores would be closed as part …

Retail sales rise 0.6% in August largely due to a spike in gas prices
1 year, 3 months ago

Retail sales rise 0.6% in August largely due to a spike in gas prices

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Americans stepped up retail spending modestly from July to August as the price of gasoline jumped, cutting into budgets as many families send their kids off to school. Retail sales rose 0.6% in August, compared with a revised 0.5% increase in July, according to a report issued by the Commerce Department on Thursday. The big rise in …

Retail sales rose solidly last month in a sign that consumers are still spending freely
1 year, 4 months ago

Retail sales rose solidly last month in a sign that consumers are still spending freely

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Americans increased their purchases at retailers last month – for clothing, dining out, online goods and other areas – in a sign that solid consumer spending is still powering a resilient U.S. economy. Analysts noted that spending on Amazon Prime Day, the online juggernaut’s big two-day sales event that took place earlier last month, also helped boost …

Consumers keep spending freely, powering a resilient economy
1 year, 4 months ago

Consumers keep spending freely, powering a resilient economy

LA Times  

Items are displayed in a boutique along Tennyson Street in Denver. Americans increased their purchases at retailers last month — for clothing, dining out, online goods and other items — in a sign that solid consumer spending is still powering a resilient U.S. economy. Analysts noted that spending on Amazon Prime Day, the online juggernaut’s big two-day sales event that …

Retail sales rose 0.3% in May despite pressure from higher inflation and interest rates
1 year, 6 months ago

Retail sales rose 0.3% in May despite pressure from higher inflation and interest rates

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Americans increased their spending at retailers last month despite pressure from still-high inflation and rising borrowing costs. Thursday’s report from the Commerce Department showed that retail sales rose 0.3% from April to May, boosted by stronger sales of auto and parts dealers. The latest retail sales data follow a government report this week that consumer inflation eased …

Shoppers turn to multiple supermarkets as grocery inflation reaches record high
1 year, 9 months ago

Shoppers turn to multiple supermarkets as grocery inflation reaches record high

The Independent  

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about …

Retail sales dip 0.4% in February after buying burst in Jan.
1 year, 9 months ago

Retail sales dip 0.4% in February after buying burst in Jan.

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — America’s consumers trimmed their spending in February after a buying burst in January, underscoring the volatility of the economic environment. Still, it remains to be seen whether news coverage of bank failures and stock market gyrations will hurt consumer sentiment this month, writes Capital Economics’ Deputy Chief U.S Economist Andrew Hunter in a report issued Wednesday. The …

Stores face questions as price of basic groceries soars by 30%
1 year, 11 months ago

Stores face questions as price of basic groceries soars by 30%

Daily Mail  

Basic groceries, such as milk, butter and cheese, are seeing price rises of up to 30 per cent – sparking suspicions of supermarket profiteering. It found food and drink inflation was at 15 per cent overall across the UK’s eight biggest supermarkets in the year to December. But the consumer watchdog said shoppers believe stores should do more to help …

Inflation hovers over shoppers seeking deals on Black Friday
2 years, 1 month ago

Inflation hovers over shoppers seeking deals on Black Friday

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Cautious shoppers hunted for the best deals at stores and online as retailers offered new Black Friday discounts to entice consumers eager to start buying holiday gifts but weighed down by inflation. The traffic was “significantly larger” on Black Friday compared to the previous two years because shoppers feel more comfortable in crowds, Macy’s CEO Jeff Gennette …

US retail sales rise as consumers step up spending
2 years, 1 month ago

US retail sales rise as consumers step up spending

Al Jazeera  

Steady job growth, rising wages, and higher savings as people cut back on travel and entertainment during the pandemic have enabled surprisingly steady spending by consumers. Steady job growth, rising wages, and higher savings after many people cut back on travel and entertainment during the pandemic have enabled surprisingly steady spending by consumers, particularly those with higher incomes. Car sales …

Small businesses brace for cautious holiday shoppers
2 years, 2 months ago

Small businesses brace for cautious holiday shoppers

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Small businesses are stocking the shelves early this holiday season and waiting to see how many gifts inflation-weary shoppers feel like giving. AlixPartners, the global consulting firm, forecasts that holiday sales will rise between 4% to 7%, far below last year’s growth of 16%. To prepare, owners say they’re ordering inventory earlier to avoid the supply-chain snags …

Walmart, Target begin holiday early to ease inflation sting
2 years, 3 months ago

Walmart, Target begin holiday early to ease inflation sting

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Walmart and Target plan to begin offering deals and price matching offers earlier this year to keep up with Americans pressed by soaring inflation and looking for ways to ease the potential sting of holiday shopping. Walmart, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, is offering a wider assortment of items this year with more new brands and more Walmart-exclusives …

Inventory pileup, uneasy shoppers put retailers in jeopardy
2 years, 4 months ago

Inventory pileup, uneasy shoppers put retailers in jeopardy

Live Mint  

From Walmart Inc. to Nordstrom Inc., retailers have a glut of inventory and are discounting items to clear out space for holiday goods. Deloitte LLP is likely to predict a slight sales increase for the holidays, largely reflecting higher prices, said Rod Sides, global head of the consulting firm’s insights practice. “My job is stable and my pay hasn’t changed, …

Retail sales up 1% in June, easing fears of a recession
2 years, 5 months ago

Retail sales up 1% in June, easing fears of a recession

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Consumers picked up their spending from May to June, underscoring their resilience despite painfully higher prices at the gas pump and in grocery aisles and allaying fears that the economy might be on the verge of a recession. U.S. retail sales rose 1% in June, from a revised decline of 0.1 % in May, the Commerce Department …

Retail sales rise 0.9% in April as consumers show resilience
2 years, 7 months ago

Retail sales rise 0.9% in April as consumers show resilience

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — U.S. retail sales rose 0.9% in April, a solid increase that underscores Americans’ ability to keep ramping up spending even as inflation persists at nearly a 40-year high. “Despite the surge in prices weighing on their purchasing power, the U.S. consumer now appears to be single-handedly keeping the global economy afloat.” The Tuesday report also showed that sales …

US retail sales rise 0.9% in April in face of sky-high inflation
2 years, 7 months ago

US retail sales rise 0.9% in April in face of sky-high inflation

Al Jazeera  

The increase in retail sales was driven by greater sales of cars, electronics, and at restaurants, the US Department of Commerce. United States retail sales rose 0.9 percent in April, a solid increase that underscores Americans’ ability to keep ramping up spending even as inflation persists at nearly a 40-year high. Even adjusting for inflation, which was 0.3 percent on …

Retail sales rise 0.5% in March amid soaring inflation
2 years, 8 months ago

Retail sales rise 0.5% in March amid soaring inflation

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Retail sales rose modestly in March, but higher prices for food, gasoline and other basics took a big share of consumers’ wallets. January’s increase of 4.9% was the biggest jump in spending since March 2021, when American households received a final federal stimulus check of $1,400. Matt Shay, CEO of National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail …

US retail sales rose 0.3% in February as high prices take a bite
2 years, 9 months ago

US retail sales rose 0.3% in February as high prices take a bite

Al Jazeera  

Many retailers are bracing for how the war in Ukraine will worsen supply shortages, with reports already surfacing of limited supplies of wheat, metals, and electronic chips. Retail sales increased 0.3 percent after registering a revised 4.9 percent jump from December to January, driven by wage gains, solid hiring and more money in banking accounts, according to the Department of …

January retail sales surge 3.8% as consumers defy inflation
2 years, 10 months ago

January retail sales surge 3.8% as consumers defy inflation

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Fueled by pay gains, solid hiring and enhanced savings, Americans sharply ramped up their spending at retail stores last month in a sign that many consumers remain unfazed by rising inflation. Retail sales jumped 3.8% from December to January, the Commerce Department said Wednesday, a much bigger increase than economists had expected. “Job growth is strong, wages …

Grocery stores are struggling to stock their empty shelves
2 years, 11 months ago

Grocery stores are struggling to stock their empty shelves

CNN  

New York CNNBusiness — Grocery store shelves across America are wiped clean, and they’re staying empty as stores struggle to quickly restock everyday necessities such as milk, bread, meat, canned soups and cleaning products. “From farms to food makers to grocery stores, it’s across the board,” said Lempert. “Both of these challenges are working in tandem to create shortages,” he …

‘We have stock': Smaller stores aim for last-minute shoppers
3 years ago

‘We have stock': Smaller stores aim for last-minute shoppers

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — After a wearying nearly two years of the pandemic, independent retailers are cautiously hoping their holiday seasons will be bright, despite the challenges this year ranging from supply chain snags to shortages of hot holiday items. As far as any worries about omicron putting a damper on store traffic: “We haven’t seen anything that would indicate that …

Retail’s battle with COVID actually saved its stores
3 years ago

Retail’s battle with COVID actually saved its stores

LA Times  

When COVID-19 erupted 21 months ago and upended retailers around the world, it looked like just another chapter in the sad story of an industry’s decline. Retail vs. E-Commerce Since Amazon ignited the online shopping era more than two decades ago, the big question has been how do legacy retailers survive? In China, one of the world’s most sophisticated retail …

Black Friday is back but it’s not what it used to be
3 years, 1 month ago

Black Friday is back but it’s not what it used to be

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — On this year’s Black Friday, things almost seem normal. “I came here because I figured since it was Black Friday, they’d have the new Switch OLED in stock, but they didn’t,” said MacDonald, who waited an hour and a half to get in for the sought-after Nintendo video game console. “So I’m just going to go home, …

Early Christmas shopping boosts UK retail sales to
3 years, 1 month ago

Early Christmas shopping boosts UK retail sales to

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Early Christmas shopping helped British …

Target tames global supply backups; sales surge 13.2% in Q3
3 years, 1 month ago

Target tames global supply backups; sales surge 13.2% in Q3

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Target delivered another strong quarter, overcoming a slew of challenges, from inflationary pressures to congested ports. Target said that inventory levels rose nearly 20% compared with the same period last year. Online comparable sales jumped 29% compared with a blistering 155% increase a year ago before vaccines against COVID-19 became available and many Americans steered clear of …

How to find lower prices and avoid empty shelves during the great supply chain crunch
3 years, 1 month ago

How to find lower prices and avoid empty shelves during the great supply chain crunch

CNN  

New York CNN Business — By now, everyone knows about supply chain chaos and rising inflation that are disrupting the holiday shopping season. Home Depot’s scale has helped it secure goods over competitors, Edward Decker, the company’s chief operating officer, said Tuesday. Some vendors with limited supplies have even told Home Depot that they’re giving them priority: “‘We can’t service …

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