U.S. Retail Sales Momentum Continues (November 03, 2011)
According to the MasterCard Advisors Spending Pulse survey, while U.S. retail sales in October 2011 grew overall at a pace consistent with that of the last several months, the relative strengths of the various sectors changed, as growth in some categories was offset by deceleration in others. While apparel sales were up in the mid single-digits in October 2011 compared to the same month in 2010, the growth rate had slowed considerably since September. This slow-down in growth was seen across all apparel’s sub-sectors, with men’s and family apparel showing October growth rates at less than half of September’s levels.
Slower sales growth in apparel was somewhat offset by stronger results in the electronics and appliances categories. Electronics and appliances sales gains in October 2011 compared to October 2010 results were the first positive results for the category since March 2011, and the highest growth since September 2010.
This year, sales at the Halloween-related sectors, including drugstores, gift and novelty stores, and grocery, increased 5.1 percent compared to October 2010. Year-over-year food price increase contributed to the increase; however, all Halloween-related sectors had positive gains compared to sales in 2010.
Macy's Unveils Plans for Herald Square Remodel (November 2011) Four-year project will begin in spring 2012
Macy's Inc. (Cincinnati) has unveiled its plans for a multi-year renovation at its Herald Square flagship in New York. The project at the world’s largest department store will cost approximately $400 million in capital and take four years to complete. Additional selling space will be added to allow for expanded assortments and upgraded presentations in key merchandise categories will include shoes, handbags, cosmetics and fashion brands. The retailer says the majority of every floor, every department and the exterior of the building will be improved over the life of the project. The store will remain open and operating during construction, with the location of some departments shifting temporarily as work progresses. "The excitement, size and scale of this remodel reinforce our conviction that Macy's Herald Square is and will remain a retail store in a class by itself,” says Terry Lundgren, Macy's chairman, president and ceo. “It’s our company's most productive store, and experience shows that improvements in this location consistently result in higher customer traffic and sales volume.”
Bloomingdale's to Open New California Store (November 03, 2011)
Bloomingdale's, a division of Cincinnati-based Macy's Inc., plans to open a new full-line Bloomingdale’s in Glendale, Calif., in fall 2013. The new 120,000-sq.-ft. store will span two levels and will be situated at the Glendale Galleria shopping center. The space, which formerly housed a Mervyn’s store, will be entirely remodeled by Bloomingdale’s, with construction expected to begin in 2012
Global Shop The Retail solutions Event (February 29 - March 2, 2012) Sands Expo and Convention Center, Las Vegas GlobalShop is the largest store design and at-retail marketing show in the United States. It is the only place where retailers and brand marketers can shop over 10,000 products and visit more than 900 suppliers in one location. As an exhibitor at GlobalShop, you'll meet thousands of buyers representing the fastest-growing retail chains and the Top 200 Global Brands. Who Should Attend?
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