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