The consistent strength of retailers’ comparable store sales across 2012 convicted us to believe that the best holiday performance since 2008 was at hand. Those retail CEOs who bet the same will be smiling at their January board meetings.

We have a new retail landscape. First, strong sales led the season. Secondly, the added shopping hours at brick-n-mortar retailers were a runaway success, with retailers claiming double-digit increases and forever changing shopper traffic patterns for the holiday season!

The 2012 retail calendar shift means that retailers showing growth for November should therefore be considered top performers for the period. There are several.

Specialty apparel was red hot. Limited brands executed brilliantly and produced a 5% increase, with Gap continuing their turnaround by driving a 3.0% increase across the brand.

For the quarter, footwear continues to sizzle with Finish Line and Footlocker posting 12.3% and 10.2% increases, respectively. DSW continued a sterling performance with a 6.3% showing.

Those retailers showing increases for November, even if modest, will likely be our industry pacesetters through Holiday 2012.

Click here for November 2012 National Retail Sales Results

While watching the World Series, I laughed at how superstitious and ritualistic baseball players are. Then I realized that recruiters are the same! I often joke (although it is more a fact than funny) that we earn 90% of our fee in the last 10% of the process. Sure it starts with attracting top talent to a compelling opportunity, but the heavy lifting occurs in delivering a candidate on the first day. As much as we follow the process of testing commitment to making a change, setting expectations, dealing with houses worth less than the mortgage, bonus/equity mitigation, etc., the fact is, if even when you are ready for it, a curveball is still hard to hit. We keep fingers crossed, rub the lucky rabbits foot or put on a rally cap, even when it appears that success at hand. With that said, this has been a championship year for the San Francisco Giants and Retail Search Group!

With the budget season in full swing at many retailers and the Holidays approaching, it is easy to forget that the search for critical talent in 2013 often need to begin in late 2012. Whether your team made the postseason or watched with the rest of us, they are all assessing their talent rosters long before Spring Training. It is never too early to let me know how I may assist in your success for the future.

Click here for October 2012 National Retail Sales Results

National retailers have much to celebrate as they begin merchandise and resource allocations to support the upcoming holiday season. September national results reflect continued solid growth in our industry. With few exceptions, retail is on firm ground for a profitable quarter.

Gap posted a remarkable comeback, with comp stores up 6% for September. Even the Old Navy division posted a 10% increase. And Limited Brands continued to beat retail analysts' predictions with a 5% increase.

Successfully tapping into fashion trends with the proper timing, Bloomingdales and Macy's delivered a combined 39% increase in online sales. Nordstroms brick and mortar delivered a solid 4.4% increase, good news in any economy.

Talent requests in retail finance and merchandise planning are robust to say the least. Our team has placed many professionals in these areas during 2012 and stands ready to support your Holiday business success. We are retail.

Click here for September 2012 National Retail Sales Results

The slowest economic recovery in decades has reached a point where the consumer can delay no longer. The consumer is spending with purpose, but they are spending and helped push August national results into solidly positive ground.

An 18 store sampling by ICSC showed a 6% increase for August as compared with Wall Street’s projected 4-5%. It should also be noted that Detroit auto makers posted double-digit growth for August, including Ford with a 13% increase. Several of Ford’s models had 35% growth over prior year (NY Times).

Our recruiters continue to hear of growth plans among even the small-to-mid size retail chains. Miss this wave and you may be chasing the competition for some time. Top performing talent is pursuing the growth environments. The scenery is much better when the vehicle is moving than it is when standing still.

 

Click here for August 2012 National Retail Sales Results

We're delighted to report that July has set the groundwork for an exciting transition to fall season. Preliminary reports are showing that 70%+ of nationwide retailers met and exceeded their July sales expectations, even during this transitional sales month. Nothing could be more encouraging as we approach the fall selling season.

Limited was up a whopping 12% and even GAP posted a 10% increase for July. The consumer is responding to sales promotion, giving evidence that store traffic is strong and consumers are looking for solutions. The long-challenged Hot Topic was able to deliver a 3.9% increase for July, their largest in some time.

If you assume that performing retailers are hiring then you assume correctly. Talent acquisition is continuing at a robust clip. New talent delivers new ideas and strategy essential to getting the customers' attention.

Click here for July 2012 National Retail Sales Results

National retailers continued to see positive numbers for June, though the increases were smaller across the board. Those retailers struggling in May continued the same in June. On the other hand, those doing a good job of managing assortments and sales promotion continued to see positive comparable store numbers across the board.

Nordstrom led the Department store sector, posting +8.1% growth, with Saks closing fast with a 6.0% increase. After leading their peers for several months Macys settled for a 1.2% comp store increase for June. Kohl's continues to sputter.

Monthly sales releases by Zumiez and Limited Brands showed continued dominance in specialty apparel with 8.2% and 7.0% increases, respectively. Barnes & Noble's second quarter release showed an encouraging 4.5% comp store increase. This is consistent with several other hard lines retailers and demonstrates their tenacity to succeed.

The next time you receive a call from a recruiter don't hesitate to ask them, "How many retail executives have you placed in the last 24 months?" You'll rapidly recognize those recruiters who specializes in retail. And yes, a proven retail recruiter will be a much better partner in your retail business.

Click here for June 2012 National Retail Sales Results

National retailers enjoyed consistently positive numbers for May, with very few exceptions. Bellwether retailers posted results that met or exceeded analyst expectations. Retailers with well planned fashion and inventories are big winners.

Department stores Macys and Nordstrom posted +4.2% and +5.3% comparable store increases for May, respectively. These numbers are solid. American Eagle stole-the-show with a +17.0% comp store increase for first quarter. And, across the board, comparable increases of +4% to +8% were the standard.

Your HR professionals are facing serious challenges in attracting and closing the candidates you need. Why is this? The market has changed and top candidates are being heavily recruited. The best candidates will only consider making a change for a compelling offer. We are seeing counter offers in the six-digit range. Game on!

Click here for May 2012 National Retail Sales Results

You’re seeing more quarterly sales results as the industry shifts away from monthly releases. Oddly, shareholders aren’t objecting.

April nationwide retail sales results evidence both calendar shifts and seasonality. Though the consumer continues to spend across virtually all retail segments overall comp store increases were modest. Broad-based sales for the combined two months of March and April were still up 2.4 percent.

Value continues to sell, with TJX Cos., parent of Marshalls, T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods, reporting that comp store revenues rose 6.0 percent in April, beating Wall Street's 4.0% forecast. Zumiez continues strong results with a 10.1% increase.

Nordstrom led department stores with a 7.1% increase while Macy's posted a 1.2 percent increase in April, only .7% below analysts expectations. And there are still signs that the economy is improving. An example, the Labor Department reported on Thursday that the number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell last week by the most in more than three months. Good talent is employed.

More than ever, I encourage you to get to know our Directors in the below areas. They deliver remarkable experience and capability, along with the best talent.

Retail Field Operations
Merchandise Buying and Global Product Development
Merchandise Planning & Allocation
Retail Finance & Accounting
E-commerce
Human Resources

Click here for April National Retail Sales Results

For March we are seeing a broader range of national retailers post positive comparable store increases than in the prior two quarters. Department, specialty and home store retailers all had much to celebrate as they closed the books.

Consumer spending continues to show growing demand across most retail segments. Nordstrom and Macys posted 8.6% and 7.3% increases, respectively. GAP posted their strongest showing in many months with an 8.0% increase in comparable stores open greater than one year. Value continues to attract the consumer with Ross and TJX both posting 10.0% increases for the month. Zumiez broke-out sales of specialty apparel with a 14.1% increase.

With this type of growth taking place demand for the best talent in every operating department is ramping-up quickly.

Click here for March National Retail Sales Results

Consumer spending continues strong and has expanded to include other areas like home improvement. Many retailers posted strong comparable store sales, with some even posting double-digit increases. Retail is regaining solid momentum.

Click here for February National Retail Sales Results

JANUARY OVERVIEW
Consumers continue to move ahead in their spending patterns with most retailers posting solid positive comparable store growth. This news is consistent with recent unemployment numbers and contributes to our belief that the overall economy is regaining solid momentum.

HOT RETAIL PERFORMANCES
Department stores typically anchor mall business and showed excellent growth in the January post-Christmas period. Nordstrom delivered stunning 8.7% comparable store growth, with Macys at 6.2% and Saks at 5.8%. The consumer spending spilled out to fashion specialty retailers like Limited Brands +7.0%. The discount apparel sellers like Ross +9.0% and TJX +8.0% also showcased a January to be proud of.

Quarterly releases by Home Depot at +4.2%, Pier 1 at +7.0% and William Sonoma at +7.3% give clear evidence that the consumer is beginning to spend at home-store retailers. Recent quarterly releases in fashion apparel also speak well for that market, with Zumiez at +8.4% and Abercrombie & Fitch at +7.0%. These are numbers to be excited about. As an exception to the rule, Gap continued their spiral at -4.0% for January.

Luxury consumers aren’t being fearful of Congress’ tax plans for the rich as evidenced by Tiffany’s +19.0% results. Ulta posted a dazzling +9.6% increase for the recent quarter.

Even QSR (Quick Serve Restaurant) shows amazing life, with Chipotle posting +11.3% and Starbucks at +9.0%. The consumer hasn’t forgotten their favorites.

UNEMPLOYMENT SCENE
In January, total employment in the United States grew in excess of 200,000 jobs for the second consecutive month. The Labor Department reports 243,000 positions were added in the month and revisions show 203,000 were added in December.

The U.S. unemployment rate fell from 8.5 to 8.3 percent despite an influx of more than 500,000 workers into the civilian labor market. Growth did not appear overly clustered in any specific sector in January, but rather it was spread throughout many sectors.

Actual employment by those with a four-year degree rose by 291,000 in January. The management, professional and related occupations unemployment rate fell year over year from 4.7 percent to 4.3 percent, reflecting near full employment for that group.

EXPAND YOUR PROFESSIONAL NETWORK
You can be a resource to others around you if you’re networked with professionals in your field. I can’t imagine being in a leadership role and not being aware of the competition. A good way of watching the market is to get connected to a recruiting professional – they talk with hundreds of retailers every week. You could be one of those who benefit from their industry contacts.

If you’re in a leadership role and responsible for managing the hiring process why wouldn’t you begin to develop a relationship with a quality search provider like Retail Search Group?

Our highly tenured retail team delivers recruiting expertise in the following areas:

• Merchandise Buying and Global Product Development
• Merchandise Planning & Allocation
• Retail Finance & Accounting
• Retail Field Operations
• Human Resources
• Retail Multi-Channel Marketing

Click here for January National Retail Sales Results

Retail results for December are clearly positive and reflect some stars shining more brightly than others. Overall, retail sales rose a solid 3.4% at the Thomson Reuters 22-retailer same-store sales index, compared with the 3.3% analyst forecast. When you add the 6.6% increase in nationwide Black Friday sales there is good reason to be optimistic about the national retail trend.

HOT Retail Performances
Continuing to dominate the landscape, department stores reflected the overall health of consumer spending with Macys +6.25, Nordstrom +8.7% and Saks +5.8%. These are good numbers in any year, but especially in these times.

In fashion, Buckle continued to lead with a +8.9% increase. In good company was Limited with +7.0% growth. Gap Inc. was somewhat an exception, reporting that its overall same-store sales were down 4%. Value oriented fashion players also fared well, with Ross and TJX posting +9.0% and +8.0% increases, respectively.

In the home sector, Home Depot and Bed Bath & Beyond delivered solid third quarter increases, at +4.2% and +4.1%.

Unemployment Scene
Retail trade continued to add jobs in December, with a gain of 28,000. Employment in the industry has increased by 240,000 over the past 12 months. Total U.S. employment grew by 200,000 positions in December, while the unemployment rate fell from an adjusted 8.7 to 8.5 percent.

Do you plan to be promoted?
Unless you plan to stay in your current position until retirement it would be to your advantage to know a recruiting professional who can support your own career development path. If you’re in a leadership role and responsible for managing the hiring process why wouldn’t you begin to develop a relationship with a quality search provider like Retail Search Group?

Our highly tenured retail team delivers recruiting expertise in the following areas:

• Retail Field Operations
• Human Resources
• Retail Finance & Accounting
• Buying and Global Product Development
• Merchandise Planning & Allocation
• Retail Multi-Channel Marketing

Click here for December National Retail Sales Results