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

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