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