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