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Big retailers’ fortunes are diverging as the holiday shopping season gets underway. On Wednesday, Target cited “lingering softness in discretionary categories” as a top factor in its disappointing third-quarter sales, as many budget-conscious shoppers continue to focus on necessities. It’s the latest sign that discounts will be the driving force this holiday season, as they’ve been for much of this year. “We’re starting to get back to normal here.”U.S. retail sales rose 0.4% overall in October, federal data showed last month, beating analysts’ forecasts. In the meantime, the steady expansion of e-commerce looks set to continue this holiday season.

Persons: ”, Brad Thomas, they’ve, TJ Maxx, John David Rainey, “ We’re, “ They’re, they’re, ” Thomas, Matthew Shay, TransUnion, Neil Saunders, Saunders, Helene, Milton, who’ve, ” Saunders Organizations: Target, Walmart, KeyBanc, Marshalls, CNBC, “, National Retail Federation, GlobalData, NBC

Elena Perova | Istock | Getty ImagesJust ahead of the holiday season, Walmart had encouraging news for inflation-weary shoppers: Prices on food and other staples were falling instead of rising. But the retail giant backpedaled this week, saying higher prices on many grocery items and household staples like paper goods have stuck. Food prices climbed 2.6%, fueled by a 5.1% jump in prices for food away from home, a category that includes restaurant meals and vending machine purchases. That gives their makers the ability to keep raising prices to mitigate higher costs, even as their volume drops. Even some of the biggest U.S. brands have signaled that consumers' tolerance of higher prices has worn thin.

Persons: Elena Perova, John David Rainey, Coke, James Quincey, Gregory Daco, airfares, Tyson, Fernando Fernandez, Arun Sundaram, Kraft Heinz, Chocolate, Hershey, Edward Jones, Brittany Quatrochi, Sundaram, Pringles, Kellanova, Heinz, Stefani Reynolds, Brad Thomas, CFRA's Sundaram, Thomas, Frederic J, Brown, Oscar Mayer, Greg Melich Organizations: Istock, Walmart, CNBC, Federal, Depot, Pew Research Center, Maine Foods, Unilever, Nestle, Bloomberg, Getty, Planters, Target, Kroger, AFP, U.S, PepsiCo, Frito, Evercore ISI Locations: Hershey , Pennsylvania, North America, Washington ,, Rosemead , California

☆ How Walmart became America’s largest grocer
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Shawn Baldwin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

In an effort to stretch their dollars, a growing number of Americans are turning to Walmart . The Arkansas-based retailer is America's largest grocer, more than twice the size of its next-biggest competitor as it takes in more than one in four grocery dollars in the U.S., according to KeyBanc Capital Markets. Though many Americans have turned to Walmart for relief from higher prices, the retailer's shoppers aren't immune to inflation. But with inflation cooling and prices leveling off, will Walmart be able to hang on to its newly acquired shoppers? CNBC looks into Walmart's grocery business to see why even more Americans might be buying food from the company in the future.

Persons: Brad Thomas Organizations: Walmart, KeyBanc, CNBC Locations: The Arkansas, U.S, America

☆ Furniture companies in a rut as fewer people buy big-ticket items
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —People aren’t buying furniture like they used to. Last week, a pair of furniture retailers said they are experiencing a massive sales slump compared to last year. On Friday, shares of RH (RH) fell 16%, while Hooker Furnishings (HOFT) dropped 17%. The two companies are the latest in a growing list of furniture retailers seeing a slowdown after years of growth fueled by pandemic-era stay-at-home trends. Wayfair, an online furniture seller, saw its second-quarter revenue decline 3.4%, and La-Z-Boy, a furniture manufacturer, reported a 20% drop in sales in August.

Persons: Hooker, David L, Ryan, ” Williams, Laura Alber, Brad Thomas, ” Thomas, ”, Gary Friedman, Thomas, Bob Williams, Chris Moye, ” Hooker, Jeremy Hoff, “ Organizations: CNN, West Elm, Boston Globe, KeyBanc, Home, Target, Mortgage, Association Locations: Virginia, Wayfair, Williams, Sonoma, Lynnfield

☆ Here's why KeyBanc downgraded Target shares over consumer spending concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this videoShare Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHere's why KeyBanc downgraded Target shares over consumer spending concernsBrad Thomas of KeyBanc Capital Markets joins ‘Squawk on the Street’ to explain the reasoning behind KeyBanc downgrading Target stock and more.

Persons: Brad Thomas, Squawk Organizations: KeyBanc

☆ How Gen Z Is Rewriting the Job Rulebook on 'Résumé Gaps', Career Breaks
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Eve Upton-Clark | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Most people are familiar with the scourge of the résumé gap. Young entrants to the workforce are leading a new conversation about the workplace, and the long-scorned résumé gap is no exception. Instead of viewing it as a negative, many Gen Zers are arguing that career breaks are positive and forcing employers to reconsider their preconceived notions about the résumé gap. The pesky résumé gapWhile job candidates have papered over résumé gaps for years, taking a break during the long march of a career is not uncommon. For those looking at working well into their 70s, a career gap, or two, simply makes sense.

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