Some 53% of consumers said they started holiday shopping before Thanksgiving, in part due to the lateness of the holiday this year says Bill Thorne, senior VP-communications and public affairs at the NRF. That, and the fact that more retailers opened on Thanksgiving itself, helped explain why some retailers said Black Friday traffic was lighter than usual. Combine store results with a 19% increase in Cyber Monday sales and we at Retail Search Group believe this Christmas season is on track for success.

Macy's reported +3.5% comparable store growth, in good company with Williams-Sonoma, who reported +8.2% growth. Pier 1 capitalized on the home store trend, posting a +3.5% increase.

Because of the late Thanksgiving calendar for 2013 we believe it makes the most sense to combine both November and December results to get a true picture of the 2013 holiday season.

Hiring decisions continue to come forward as retailers prepare for 2014 transition. We encourage both candidates and retailers to continue their efforts to join talent with opportunity. 2014 glistens as a significant growth opportunity for those retailers ready to pursue it.

Click here for November 2013 National Retail Sales Results

October sales results show continued growth and strength of consumer spending. Combined with last week's jobs growth numbers, we have every reason to believe that Holiday 2013 will be one of the best in some time.

Specialty retailers GAP and Limited Brands reported excellent results, posting +4.0% and +8.0%, respectively. The pent-up demand for home improvement is busting-out, with Home Depot posting +10.7% and Lowes +9.6% comparable stores increases. CarMax pushed sales +16.0% for the quarter.

We are seeing expansion across nearly every segment of the retail landscape. Our team continues to be busy bringing forward top talent for these growth-oriented retailers. For many, 2014 financial planning has been completed and the initial stages of first quarter execution are underway.

Click here for October 2013 National Retail Sales Results

Consistent volume gains continue across most retail brands.

 

Counter to government fears, consumer spending continues its year-long growth pattern, led by department stores and value price channels. And, with 4% growth expected by the industry for the holiday season, we see no reason to support current doomsayer headlines.

 

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Can it be said any more simply, our retail recruiting team is experiencing remarkable results for our client partners because of our 100% dedication to the retail industry. If you’re in a leadership role, wouldn’t you want the top-performing candidates who make your business happen?

Click here for September 2013 National Retail Sales Results

August nationwide retail sales evidence a solid consumer confidence, but one well grounded in both fashion and value.

GAP and Limited released quarterly results, leading the fashion apparel segment with +7.0% and +2.0% comparable store increases, respectively. Footwear continues to be a defining fashion element for 2013 as shown by quarterly results from DSW, the leader at +4.4%.

Value-priced fashion retailers TJX and Ross have dialed-in their customer with targeted brand-oriented media advertising. Both had solid, +4.0% comparable store increases for the current quarter.

Home improvement giants Home Depot and Lowes have regained momentum with +10.7% and +9.6% increases for the second quarter. These values signal a critical turnaround for the consumer, now willing to invest further in their homes.

Click here for August 2013 National Retail Sales Results

Retailers across the board posted increases in the +3.0 to +4.0% range. The good news here is that consumer spending is broad-based, with all segments being healthy. As we head for the key holiday selling season we can expect retailers to enjoy solid success from well-planned and executed assortments.

This is simple. Those who network aggressively end-up surrounding themselves with the highly talented, and thus enjoy a higher level of personal success. With remarkable growth being queued by many major retail brands this is an opportunistic time to build those relationships. Much space for career growth and development is on a near horizon.

Click here for July 2013 National Retail Sales Results

June nationwide retail results reflect increased movement toward quarterly reporting, and expect this trend to continue. July sales results will complete the 2nd quarter for many national retailers, meaning that you can expect broad-based results. And, based upon indicators we are seeing from June month-end or quarter-end results we believe that the consumer is moving ahead with strong conviction.

Lay-Z-Boy reported comp store growth of +11.2% and Pier 1 reported +5.9%. Bed Bath & Beyond reported +3.4%. Each retailer speaks to a solid trend in home related categories.

Fashion is quickly accelerating, with Lululemon Athletic posting +7.0% comp store increases. Men's Wearhouse was close behind at +4.4%. In the beauty category, Ulta is looking good at +6.7% comparable store growth.

Our retail recruiting team is facing high demand for top-performing candidates. Now is the time to reach out and develop a relationship with them. It could be one of your best-ever decisions.

Click here for June 2013 National Retail Sales Results

May national retailer releases are now largely based upon quarter releases. For May we see both shining stars as well as retailers struggling to regain momentum.

 

Williams-Sonoma delivered an outstanding +7.2% for their recent quarter. And, Home Depot showed the right stuff, with a +4.3% gain. Pier 1 continued their dominance with a +7.5% performance, encouraging news for the home store.

 

Have you recently been approached by recruiters claiming to be retail experts? How long has their brand been dedicated to retail? Do they source active candidates on job boards or do they direct-recruit passive, top performers? The Retail Search Group brand brings you expertise and specialization in your specific need area. Experience the wow-factor of working with the retail brand. It’s Retail Search Group.

Click here for May 2013 National Retail Sales Results

National retail sales continued their consistent climb for April with many retailers posting comparable store increases in the +2.0% range. Several retailers broke away with larger growth. Ross and TJX continued their spot-on marketing to attract the value-oriented shopper and delivered +7.0% and +6.0% increases, respectively. GAP also broke out of the pack by posting a +7% increase for the month.

We continue to experience strong demand for talent-specific retail professionals. If your success for 2013 depends upon surrounding yourself with talented professionals who are committed to your financial objectives then don’t delay. Contact one of our Directors and start the process moving forward.

Click here for April 2013 National Retail Sales Results

For March we have removed 10 retailers off monthly reporting, while adding 24 retailers to quarterly reporting. Recent quarter-end values are highlighted in the color red for easy reading.  And retailers shown in italics are new additions to the report.

A cold March and an early Easter slowed retail growth for some national retailers. Shopping for warm weather clothing was delayed due to the cold weather, and Gap with -1.0% comp store is an example of this for March. And, the early Easter couldn’t compete with last year’s higher increases, TJX with -2.0% comp store for March 2013, had +10.0% for March 2012 being an example of this.

For retailers reporting their year-end and fourth quarter numbers, the footwear segment reported solid results, with Footlocker posting a +7.9% comparable store increase and DSW at +3.6%.  Home store retailers are gaining ground, with Pier 1 and Williams-Sonoma leading at +7.5% and +4.0%, respectively, for fourth quarter.

Click here for March 2013 National Retail Sales Results

Nationwide retail sales continued broad based growth for February with some especially bright spots in Home and Department Stores. This retail trend is further supported by numerous retailers reporting near-term expansion plans. The year 2013 will be remembered as a significant turning point for comparable store retail growth.

Specialty retailers like Carter's and Fifth & Pacific Companies showed consistent growth for fourth quarter performances of 5.2% and 13.8% growth, respectively. Home and Furniture stores are seeing promising growth. Examples are Lumber Liquidators and Pier 1 Imports that posted 13.2% and 7.9% comp store growth.

Our nationwide team is currently supporting several major retailer expansions, further evidence of increasing demand for top-performing executive talent.

 Click here for February 2013 National Retail Sales Results

Sales at nationwide retailers in January continue to show underlying strength of retail sales. The numbers best tell the story. Comparable store increases, many being double-digit, continue to dominate the landscape.

Department stores continue with remarkable strength. Macy's followed their +4.1% December comp store results with +11.7% for January. Nordstrom performed similarly, with +8.6% for December and +11.4% for January comps.

Gap and Limited Brands led specialty with +35.6% and +9.0% January comp store growth, respectively. Chain stores also delivered solid results, with Kohl's at +13.3% and Target at +3.1% for January. 

In the most recent nationwide MRINetwork Recruiter Sentiment Study, 68% of recruiters characterized today's labor market as candidate-driven, up 12 points from 56% a year ago. Perhaps the clearest indication of the candidate-driven market is the growing prevalence of candidates turning down job offers. 

By working with the retail professionals at Retail Search Group you won't waste time interviewing undeliverable candidates. When you interview an RSG candidate you'll be talking with a top quality candidate ready to make a change.

Click here for January 2013 National Retail Sales Results

Retailers on their game continued as the winners during holiday 2012. Those sputtering prior to Christmas missed an opportunity. Additional shopping hours offered at brick-n-mortar retailers proved a huge success. Expect to see more aggressive hours for 2013.

 

Holiday heroes include Nordstrom, leading department stores with a +8.6% comp store performance in December. Ross and TJX both posted +6.0% comp store growth in December. And notable for December is GAP, putting up a solid +5.0% performance.

 

Apparel retailer American Eagle Outfitters led specialty apparel for thier quarter with +10%. Footwear powerhouse Foot Locker flexed its muscles with a +10.2% increase and DSW led the fashion footwear category with a +6.2% quarterly showing.

 

Click here for December 2012 National Retail Sales Results