Retail Stores

As retailers begin 2011, they need to tailor their operations to better meet the expectations of their increasingly savvy customers. While every retailer is different, with unique challenges, needs and business environments, there are massive opportunities to gain more intelligence and leverage existing data to streamline internal processes and potentially increase profits.

The National Retail Federation's BIG Show, which took place in New York last week, is an annual opportunity for retailers to tap into the latest technologies for improving everything from customer analysis to mobile commerce.

Retail sales rose for a sixth consecutive month in December, helped by big gains in sales of autos and furniture. The increases helped lift sales activity for the year by the largest amount in more than a decade.

Led onto the stage by Mickey and Minnie Mouse, there was no mistaking that Stephen Finney was from the Disney Store when he made his entrance to give the keynote speech at this week's National Retail Federation BIG Show in New York City. The senior vice president of global retail operations for the media and entertainment company was there to talk about Disney's brick-and-mortar stores.

To impart some of the wisdom he’s gained over the years in growing his retail business, Dave Ratner, owner and CIO (Chief Instigating Officer) of Dave's Soda and Pet City, led a session at the National Retail Federation's BIG Show this week in New York City. Ratner left attendees at the hour-long session with 10 tips they could take back to their stores and implement right away.

Limited Brands said that its December sales at stores open at least one year rose 5 percent. Analysts, on average, had expected same-store sales to rise 4.6 percent, according to Thomson Reuters.

Macy’s reported a 4.5 percent improvement in holiday sales that aligned with its expectations, however investors still booed the results, pushing the shares down in morning trade.

Shares of Kohl's slipped despite reporting a 5.9 percent increase in December sales, helped by higher demand in stores open at least one year and its e-commerce business.

Helped by stores open at least a year, leading off-price retailer TJX reported a 6 percent gain in December sales, pushing the company to raise its full-year guidance.

2010 has come to a close with a big holiday bang. Not only were holiday retail sales up big — 5.5 percent over 2009 for the 50-day period from Nov. 5 to Dec. 24 — but online retail was up some 15.4 percent.