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