At the start of the holiday season both NRF and ICSC issued predictions that retailers could expect comparable store sales in the 3.5% range for Holiday 2010. November results came in much higher than forecast, climbing to 5.8%, significantly ahead of expectations.

Some don’t believe the sales were the result of deep discounts or other one-time strategies. These comparable sales gains are the result of carefully planned and executed retail strategies across both department and specialty store segments. Solid retailing is back to stay! Consumers are seeking good value and retailers executed well-planned strategies to attract and win the customer.

Best Buy had a line of tents the day before black Friday….the Minneapolis retailer attracted customers with a combination of value and assortment. Best Buy has already distanced the competition and won the gold medal for technology retailing this season. Department stores like Nordstrom, Macys and Neiman Marcus lit up the sky with increases from 5-6%. Several specialty retailers reported double-digit growth (Abercrombie 22%, Limited 10%).

Exceptions? Yes, there are a few retailers who haven’t given their customers assortments to be excited about. Hot Topic -2.1%, and reported laying-off 80 people at their headquarters and announced store closings. In this retail trend it’s also surprising that Rite Aid -1.3% continues to sputter.

Recruiting
Everyone wants to talk to a recruiter but no one wants to be seen talking to one. Our team of experienced professionals can work with you on a confidential basis and provide valuable insight as you consider next moves. Most retail company budgets are completed for fiscal 2011. If January is a target hiring month then we should begin dialogue at once.

Tired of the “parade of candidates” that aren’t right? Have you thought about having a professional retail search organization bring forward your competition’s best talent so you can interview them? Perhaps it’s time to develop a relationship with the Retail Search Group team.

Click here for November National Retail Sales Results.

October finished with nice solid gains and the word on the street is incredibly positive!

I am excited to share that business continues to improve and we are noticing this in many different pockets of the country and in many different ways.

As you may know our office is 100% retail focused and has operated in retail for 25+ years. Ten years ago we listened to our clients needs and carved out niche areas specific to what they indicated as "tough to fill" retail areas. The good news is, as an office, we expect to finish 2010 with a 20% increase if everything continues to point in the direction that it is, and although we are not a retail company we run parallel with you retailers and so does our business. I believe that has set us apart from other recruiters and sustained us during these times.

We noticed this down turn in late 2008 in our Buying and Merchandising area first. Much like you, we never anticipated what was going to take place in 2009. This time was anything but exciting, definitely a year of learning. We too downsized, right sized or whatever kind of sizing that was taking place. This experience has taught all to be better at what we do in whatever role we are in. Some called it a cleansing.

We are excited and energized by not only the Clients that are coming back, but what we are hearing as companies are stratigizing for 2011.

Have fun reading October results. Best wishes to all for a wonderful Holiday Season.

Click here for October National Retail Sales Results

No question about it! Comparable store sales results are becoming consistently stronger across the retail landscape. The NRF and ICSC have stepped forward with their projections for holiday - we have reason to be encouraged! In fact, the National Retail Federation released a report expressing optimism for the coming holiday season. The Washington, D.C. based trade group forecasts holiday retail sales to reach $447.1 billion this year, up 2.3% from 2009. It would be the best holiday for retailers in four years, after sales were flat last year and fell 3.9% in 2008. Last week, the International Council of Shopping Centers released its own forecast for the holidays, projecting sales will rise as much as 3.5%.

Several retailers continue aggressive, double-digit growth. Examples are Abercrombie & Fitch, Limited Brands and Zumiez, each up 12-17%. Department stores gained strength with consistent comp store increases in the 4-7% range. Nordstrom again led the way with a 7.5% comparable store increase.

Exceptions. Yes, there are a few retailers who haven’t given their customers assortments to be excited about like Hot Topic at -2.6%, and Pac Sun at -10.0%.

A straightforward consolidated summary is below. These results are what retailers were hoping-for as they finalize 2011 budgets.

Unemployment
We like to see straight numbers, without the PR spin. The facts straight from BLS dated Friday, October 8, 2010 are as follows:

The number of unemployed persons, at 14.8 million, was essentially unchanged in September, and the unemployment rate held at 9.6%. According to the Labor Department, total U.S. private-sector employment grew by 67,000 positions in August, the eighth consecutive month of job growth.

Recruiting
Do you have positions which continue to remain open despite several weeks/months of interviewing? If so, what’s the real cost to your organization? Have you recently had to “settle” on simply filling a position without feeling like you’ve interviewed the best talent from your competition?

Have you thought about having a professional search organization bring forward your competition’s best talent so you can interview them? Perhaps it’s time to develop a relationship with the Retail Search Group team. They’re the finest retail specialists in the search industry.

Click here for September National Retail Sales Results

For many retailers August is the launch pad for their fall season. The comparable store sales coming out of August were solid. In fashion, Limited Brands led the charge with a whopping 10% comparable store increase after a 12% July increase!

The Wall Street Journal responded, "Retailers were delivered a late-summer surprise, with sales for the key back-to-school shopping month coming in better than expected." Reuters surveyed Wall Street analysts and expected a 2.5% rise in comparable stores. The results were a rise of 3.3% over 2009 sales. According to Market Watch, retail stocks responded immediately, with many continuing their recent gains.

Specialty apparel had several bright spots, with Chico's FAS reporting a 6.4% increase on top of a 14.9% increase the prior quarter. The Department store sector performed strongly again, with Nordstrom's 6.5% comparable store increase leading the group. With few exceptions, apparel is beginning to show consistent positive growth.

Attention to assortments has lifted both Cost Plus and Pier 1 as leaders in their segment, with Cost Plus releasing +6.5% comparable stores for the quarter ending 8/19.

A straightforward consolidated summary is below. As an early indicator for the fall 2010 season these results are encouraging. The numbers tell us that the consumer is definitely looking for new assortments and solid value.

Unemployment
According to the Labor Department, total U.S. private-sector employment grew by 67,000 positions in August, the eighth consecutive month of job growth.

Total U.S. employment fell by 54,000 positions after factoring in government jobs, including 114,000 temporary census workers who were let go. The unemployment rate rose from 9.5 to 9.6 percent, driven mostly by an increase in people who completed temporary work-including census workers-and new entrants.

Recruiting
If a candidate search is in your plans for the fall 2010 season call one of our Directors now. Have a dialogue about timing and the nature of the candidate you want to attract. Why? The reason is simple. Locating and attracting the best candidate takes time. Poor performers rarely become top performers. And, a top performer delivers goals. Your competition sees what is happening and they are moving ahead. Year-to-date through August 2010 our placements are up over 80%. Based upon retail sales trends the industry will be highly competitive for top "impact" players as we approach 2011.

Click here for August National Retail Sales Results

The numbers in retail always tell the story and July retail industry sales make a clear statement: retail is continuing its positive growth as we move into third quarter of 2010. The past months show that specialty hard lines, home, footwear and automotive are continuing as top performers. The flagship department store group continues to put up solid comparable store growth, with Macy’s dominating. For many of these retailers July marked the fourth straight month of comparable store growth over 2009. Even though last year’s results were disappointing you can clearly see the industry moving in the right direction.

The overall industry increase was again in the 3% range, showing consistent growth, but we have retailers on both sides of that number. Although several analysts reported results below their expectations we are pleased to see a consistently positive trend across most brands. Exceptions to this are few, such as the struggling Hot Topic, posting yet another month of declining comparable store sales with a 9% drop vs. 2009 results. Contrast this to Limited Brands posting a 12% increase vs. last year.

The description “slow and steady” best describes the overall recovery trend. A consolidated summary is below. The numbers tell the story.

Unemployment
Total employment in the United States fell by 131,000 positions in July as the unemployment rate remained at 9.5%, according to new figures released from the Labor Department. The most significant losses were seen in the government as 202,000 jobs were shed. The end of 143,000 temporary census jobs made up the bulk of losses, however, cash strapped state and local governments also trimmed 48,000 positions.

Total private sector employment increased for the seventh month in a row, adding 71,000 positions. The professional, management and related occupation unemployment rate in July was 5.0%, down from 5.5% a year ago.

Recruiting
Virtually every practice at Retail Search Group is managing dramatically increased demand over 2009. Our candidate placement activity on a year-over-year basis is up 40%.

Retail CEOs know what is ahead and they are committed to securing leadership teams of the best talent. Even currently-employed, high demand candidates are now willing to consider change when the right opportunity is presented. This is a significant market change from a few months ago.


Click here to view July Retail Sales Results

June marked the third straight month of comparable store increases for national retailers. The important trend we see is regular price retailers across many sectors, especially apparel, are showing strong comparable growth. Department stores are attracting their customer – Nordstrom led the charge with a 14.1% comp store increase. Best Buy's most recent quarter release boasts a 7% comp increase and Advance Auto Parts' most recent quarter led their segment with a 7.7% comp increase. Footwear and specialty retailers like Brookstone (+14.1%) are posting double-digit growth.

The overall increase was in the 3% range but there are certainly chains on both sides of that number. This is a sharp contrast to 2009 where there was month-after-month of sales declines. We clearly have more consistent consumer activity for the first half of 2010 as evidenced by the national chain results. You may view our consolidated nationwide sales summary by clicking the below link.

Unemployment
According to the Labor Department, U.S. total payroll decreased by 125,000 positions in June, while the unemployment rate declined to 9.5 percent. Included in the total payroll drop was a decrease of 225,000 temporary U.S. Census jobs. Total private employment actually increased by 83,000 positions, up from the gain of just 33,000 in May.

For the first time this year, the number of long-term unemployed (those without a job for more than six months) declined, dropping 12,000 between May and June.

Recruiting
Your competition is upgrading their talent. Activity continues to accelerate. Currently employed, high demand candidates are now willing to consider change for the right opportunity. This is a significant market change from a few months ago. If you haven’t already, I would encourage you to develop a relationship with our team. They’re the finest retail specialists in the Retail search industry!


Click here to view June Retail Sales Results

After two straight months of double-digit comparable store increases the attached May results reflect a solid, yet more competitive growth trend. Specialty apparel, department stores and several other segments showed encouraging gains. Comp store sales reflect the most consistent consumer demand that we’ve seen since early 2009.

Unemployment
The Labor Department reported improved unemployment at 9.7% vs. 9.9% for the May period. Management, professional and related occupations remained unchanged at 4.5% for May. A Careerbuilder® survey revealed that 40% of employees plan to change jobs this year, based largely upon a belief that they’ve been doing more than one job as a result of downsizing. Compensation was also sited as a factor in their decision to make a change.

Recruiting
At Retail Search Group the month of May was the largest volume month in the past year. Each Director’s practice is very busy, and the activity is accelerating. The best performing retail brands are reacting to their business by attracting best-in-class candidates. These retailers are investing in rapid ROI assets – top talent that steps into the role and moves their business quickly. Retail brands with the best people will dominate comp store sales – but when has that not been the case!

Click here to view May Retail Sales Results

If you haven’t already, I would encourage you to develop a relationship with our team. They’re the finest retail specialists in the search industry. They are:

Kim Franchi, Director Field Operations Recruiting, kim@retailsearchgroup.com

Joan Cartelli, Director, Buying & Merchandise Recruiting, joan@retailsearchgroup.com
Leona Williams, Director Planning & Allocation Recruiting, leonaw@retailsearchgroup.com
Steve Olson, Director Finance & Accounting Recruiting, steve@retailsearchgroup.com

Last month the industry showcased two straight months of double-digit comparable store increases. For April the comp store sales trend remains strong, fueling a dramatic change in retailer hiring activity.

At a 3.2 percent annualized rate, the first quarter’s GDP growth still exceeded the 2.8 percent average growth the U.S. has seen over the last 25 years. For the first quarter of 2010 consumer spending grew by 3.6 percent, and more impressively, business investment in equipment and software grew by 13.4 percent. Tony McKinnon, president of MRINetwork cautions the overly-conservative “Business investment goes hand-in-hand with headcount increases.”

New Store Growth
We continue to talk with major retailers every day who are planning expansion for 2010 and 2011. These announcements of new store openings make a clear statement that, "We're competitors in our space. We're not planning to lose market share in 2010 so we're moving ahead with openings."

Recruiting
Relocating high demand candidates continues to be a challenge for your HR Professionals. When creatively approached and presented in the right way this challenge can be overcome and a top candidate delivered. How much time are you dedicating each month to interviewing top talent from your competitors?

If this idea appeals to you then contact one of our Certified professionals. Your call may build a relationship that changes your career for the better.

Click here to view April Retail Sales Results

March showed an upturn and retailers posted strong gains for the month! Experts are saying the warm weather is helping bring out the shoppers and having Easter eight days earlier this year brought them out early. Most department stores like Kohl’s, and some specialty apparel stores, had a significant increase in comp store sales due to the boost in apparel shopping.

With this upturn, Retail Search Group is seeing an increase in Client needs as well. As your competitors drive growth and profit, is your team performing where they need to? Let us help you find the Top Talent in the industry.

Each of our recruiters reaches out to 50+ candidates each day – we know the top talent.

Click here to view March Retail Sales Results

Analysis - Comparable Store GrowthComp store growth is busting out! Most specialty and department stores are showing significant comp store increases for February! The major concern retailers now face is their ability to maintain merchandise inventories consistent with increasing customer demand. Staying in-stock on best sellers is critical to continued top line revenue growth. Expect margin results to be excellent as well.

Recruiting – Top Talent Drives Sales and Profit Growth
What percent of your week do you dedicate to new talent acquisition? Revenues are growing. Margins during 2010 won’t be driven by savings – they’ll be driven by top line revenue growth. As top performers typically drive growth and profit, is your team performing where they need to?
If your team can use an infusion of top talent then go to professionals who already know them. The best new talent for your team is probably at your competition, with their heads down working hard. They must be attracted away from their current opportunity, to yours.

Each of our recruiters reach out to 50+ candidates each day – we know the top talent. Contact one of our Directors if you need results.

Click here to view Febraury Retail Sales Results

Click here to view January National Retail Sales Results