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☆ As retailers enter the holiday shopping season, the winners are pulling away from the pack
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-29 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Target , Kohl's and Best Buy each reported disappointing third-quarter results as early holiday deals fell short of meaningfully boosting their businesses. Choosy consumers have made the gulf between successful and struggling retailers even more stark heading into the holiday shopping season, said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail. That's a smaller year-over-year increase than the 3.9% jump from the 2022 to 2023 holiday season, when spending totaled $955.6 billion. Dick's and Abercrombie both hiked their full-year outlooks this week and said they expect a strong holiday shopping season. Kohl's warned it will have a deeper-than-expected drop in sales and announced a change in CEO ahead of the crucial shopping season.

Persons: Victor J, Fitch, Neil Saunders, Abercrombie, Scott Lipesky, Erik Nordstrom, Wall, John David Rainey, Rainey, Rick Gomez, Taylor Swift Organizations: Blue, Bloomberg, Getty, Walmart, Dick's Sporting Goods, Abercrombie, GlobalData, National Retail Federation, Nordstrom, CNBC, Target Locations: Clifton , New Jersey, U.S

Walmart on Monday confirmed that it’s ending some of its diversity initiatives, removing some LGBTQ-related merchandise from its website and winding down a nonprofit that funded programs for minorities. Walmart’s DEI changes were first reported by Bloomberg News. Among the changes, Walmart will no longer allow third-party sellers to sell some LGBTQ-themed items on Walmart’s website, including items marketed to transgender youth like chest binders, company spokeswoman Molly Blakeman said. It’s also moved away from using the term “diversity, equity and inclusion” or DEI in company documents, employee titles and employee resource groups. Walmart’s DEI changes were first reported by Bloomberg News.

Persons: Molson Coors, Bud, ” “ We’ve, Walmart’s, Molly Blakeman, George Floyd’s, It’s, Blakeman, Robby Starbuck, Starbuck Organizations: Walmart, U.S, Tractor Supply, Pride, Ford, Molson, Anheuser, Busch, Bud Light, Bloomberg News, Human Rights, for Racial Equity, Supply Locations: U.S ., America

☆ Walmart pulls back on DEI efforts, removes some LBGTQ merchandise from website
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-26 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Walmart on Monday confirmed that it's ending some of its diversity initiatives, removing some LGBTQ-related merchandise from its website and winding down a nonprofit that funded programs for minorities. Those companies include Tractor Supply , which said in June it was eliminating DEI roles and stopping sponsorship of Pride festivals. Among the changes, Walmart will no longer allow third-party sellers to sell some LGBTQ-themed items on Walmart's website, including items marketed to transgender youth like chest binders, company spokeswoman Molly Blakeman said. It's also moved away from using the term "diversity, equity and inclusion" or DEI in company documents, employee titles and employee resource groups. Walmart's DEI changes were first reported by Bloomberg News.

Persons: Molson Coors, Bud, Molly Blakeman, George Floyd's, It's, Blakeman, Robby Starbuck, Starbuck, Walmart's Organizations: Walmart, U.S, Tractor Supply, Pride, Ford, Molson, Anheuser, Busch, Bud Light, Human Rights, for Racial Equity, Supply, Bloomberg News Locations: U.S ., America

☆ Best Buy cuts full-year sales forecast due to softer demand for consumer electronics
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-26 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

People walk into a Best Buy store in a Brooklyn mall on August 29, 2023 in New York City. Best Buy on Tuesday cut its full-year sales forecast as it missed Wall Street's quarterly revenue expectations and a fresh batch of iPhones and AI-enabled laptops weren't enough to drive higher sales. It expects full-year comparable sales to decline by between 2.5% and 3.5%, compared to its prior expectations of a 1.5% to 3% drop. Comparable sales includes sales online and at stores open for at least 14 months. Shares of Best Buy were down about 3% in premarket trading Tuesday.

Persons: Corie Barry, Barry, Matt Bilunas Organizations: LSEG, Microsoft Locations: Brooklyn, New York City, U.S

☆ Nordstrom tops Wall Street’s earnings expectations, as shoppers buy more clothes and shoes
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-26 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Nordstrom on Tuesday beat Wall Street's quarterly sales expectations, as revenue grew about 4% year over year from shoppers buying clothing, shoes and activewear at both the company's namesake department store and its off-price chain. Compared with the second quarter, women's apparel, shoes and men's apparel sales in the fiscal third quarter also grew sequentially. Comparable sales increased 4% across Nordstrom's two brands, its namesake and its off-price chain, Nordstrom Rack. That easily topped analysts' expectations for 0.7% gains in comparable sales, according to StreetAccount. Nordstrom's sales growth, while modest, is notable at a time when sales of discretionary merchandise and the luxury category have been under pressure.

Persons: Nordstrom, Erik Nordstorm, we're, we'll, we've, Erik Nordstrom, Peter Nordstrom Organizations: LSEG, Nordstrom, Retailers, Walmart, El Puerto de Liverpool Locations: Chicago , Illinois, Seattle, Mexican, El Puerto

Comparable sales for its owned and licensed businesses, plus its online marketplace, dropped 1.3%. Macy's said it found "an issue related to delivery expenses in one of its accrual accounts" while preparing its quarterly results. At Bloomingdale's, comparable sales climbed 3.2% on an owned-plus-licensed basis, including the third-party marketplace. And Bluemercury comparable sales increased 3.3%, marking the 15th consecutive quarter of comparable sales growth for the beauty brand. At the Macy's stores that will remain open, comparable sales were down 0.9% on an owned-plus-licensed basis, including the third-party marketplace.

Persons: Macy's, Tony Spring Organizations: Inc, Macy's Media Network Locations: Bloomingdale's

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHere's why dollar stores are hurtingThe dollar store industry has historically done well when the consumer was under pressure. And so, in the decade that followed the Great Recession, Dollar General and Dollar Tree outperformed the S&P 500. But the current economic environment is playing out differently as both companies face competition in e-commerce and have been burdened with a number of operational challenges. Watch the video to find out why the share price of both stocks have plunged more than 50% in the past couple of years.

☆ Target's recent trade imports data tells the real story behind massive earnings miss
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

But cargo container trade data reviewed by CNBC tells a more nuanced tale. "We took some action to move product ahead of the port strike which came with more cost," Fiddelke said. Target's peak season imports for 2024 compared to 2023 were flat to down, according to cargo container volumes data pulled and analyzed by ImportGenius. According to customs data aggregated by Panjiva, Walmart imported 25,000 shipments from May 31-August 31, valued at $1.3 billion. "With any frontloading for the port strike, inventory would be up even higher than that."

Persons: Brandon Bell, Brian Cornell, Michael Fiddelke, Fiddelke, William George, Lynn Hughes, we're, Jerry Storch, Storch, Joe Feldman, Feldman, Bill Simon, Simon, Melissa Repko Organizations: Getty, CNBC, Target, ILA, ImportGenius, Storch Advisors, Panjiva, Walmart, Telsey Locations: Austin , Texas, U.S, New England, Texas, West Coast, Savannah , Georgia, Long Beach , California, of Virginia, West, East Coast, Gulf

☆ Here's why Dollar Tree and Dollar General stocks have plummeted
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Ryan Baker | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Dollar stores companies were some best performing stocks in the S&P 500 during the Great Recession, said Piper Sandler managing director Peter Keith. Shares of Dollar Tree — which owns its namesake brand and Family Dollar — and Dollar General have both fallen roughly 50% this year. Lower income Americans, who comprise about 60% of Dollar General sales, are under more pressure to stretch their dollars in the face of high inflation. In its fiscal 2024 second quarter earnings call, Dollar General said those customers are also more reliant on online storefronts, which dollar stores have had less success in rolling out. Both Dollar Tree and Dollar General have also faced numerous worker safety violations over the past decade.

Persons: Piper Sandler, Peter Keith, Keith, Melissa Repko Organizations: Walmart, CNBC

Target reported earnings Wednesday that came in far below Wall Street's expectations, something the big-box retailer attributed to slower-than-expected demand. The company announced profits that missed forecasts by 20%, its widest miss in two years. Broader stock trading did not immediately react, however, as Wall Street awaits earnings from chipmaker Nvidia, which has helped power the market higher throughout the year. Target's report comes a day after rival Walmart reported earnings and revenues that beat expectations. “We’re expecting this holiday period to be very consistent with that,” Walmart Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey told CNBC.

Persons: Brian Cornell, Michael Fiddelke, “ We’re, John David Rainey, “ They’re Organizations: Target, Nvidia, Walmart, CNBC

☆ Target shares plunge 21% after discounter cuts forecast, posts biggest earnings miss in two years
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The big-box retailer reversed course and cut its full-year profit guidance, just three months after hiking that forecast. That's lower than the $9 to $9.70 per share range that it shared in August and below the $9.55 a share expected by analysts, according to StreetAccount. That metric, which is also known as same-store sales, includes sales on its website and stores open at least 13 months. The company fell short of Wall Street's earnings per share estimate by 20%, its biggest miss in two years. Target eked out a comparable sales gain of 0.3%, as shoppers spent more on its website but less at its stores.

Persons: Brian Cornell, Michael Fiddelke, Rick Gomez Organizations: LSEG, Shoppers, Target Locations: Selinsgrove . Target

☆ Walmart hits new highs and Target dives after earnings as rivals diverge even more
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Customer traffic gains were similar at the two stores, yet Walmart's sales trends looked much better than Target's. Walmart's traffic growth edged out its rival's, with a gain of 3.1% at Walmart U.S. versus 2.4% at Target. Walmart's e-commerce sales in the U.S. rose 22%, a bigger increase than the nearly 11% at Target. About 60% of Target's sales come from discretionary items, such as home goods and clothing. On a call with investors on Wednesday, Cornell pointed to "green shoots" in the business, even as sales results disappointed.

Persons: Brian Cornell, Walmart's, Michael Baker, Davidson, Baker, Paul Lejuez, Kate McShane, Goldman Sachs, Davidson's Baker, Cornell, Michael Lasser, We'll Organizations: Walmart, Walmart U.S, Target, D.A, Amazon, Costco, Citi Research, Deutsche Bank, HSBC Global Research, Citi, Cornell, UBS Locations: U.S, Minneapolis, America

“We’re expecting this holiday period to be very consistent with that,” he said. Retailers, including Walmart, are contending with a mixed bag of factors this holiday season. The holiday season is also shorter this year and parts of the U.S. have had unseasonably warm weather, two dynamics that could hurt retailers. That would be lower than the 3.9% year-over-year jump from the 2022 to 2023 holiday season, when spending totaled $955.6 billion. Rainey said the holiday period is “off to a pretty good start.”He said items like TVs, Apple AirPods, Beats headphones and even tires have been selling.

Persons: John David Rainey, “ We’re, ”, “ They’re, Rainey, Walmart’s, Donald Trump’s, it’s, We’ve Organizations: Walmart, CNBC, LSEG, New York Stock Exchange, Sam’s, Walmart U.S, U.S, National Retail Federation, Apple Locations: U.S, China

Walmart’s CFO John David Rainey said the retailer would likely have to raise prices on some items if President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs take effect. “We never want to raise prices,” he said in an interview with CNBC on Tuesday. Beauty CEO Tarang Amin told CNBC in an interview earlier this month that the company could be forced to raise prices if the higher duties take effect. The majority of goods Walmart sells are not at risk of tariffs. The home improvement retailer addressed the potential levies as it reported earnings on Tuesday.

Persons: John David Rainey, Donald Trump’s, ”, “, ” Rainey, Wall, Matthew Shay, Tarang Amin, Steve Madden, Rainey, We’ve, Lowe’s, it’s, Brandon Sink, — CNBC’s Gabrielle Fonrouge Organizations: CNBC, National Retail Federation, Walmart Locations: China, U.S

☆ Walmart may have to raise some prices if Trump tariffs take effect, CFO says
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Walmart 's CFO, John David Rainey, said the retailer could have to raise prices on some items if President-elect Donald Trump's proposed tariffs take effect. "We never want to raise prices," he said in an interview with CNBC on Tuesday. Beauty CEO Tarang Amin told CNBC in an interview earlier this month that the company could be forced to raise prices if the higher duties take effect. The majority of goods Walmart sells are not at risk of tariffs. "Tariffs, though, are inflationary for customers, so we want to work with suppliers and with our own private brand assortment to try to bring down prices."

Persons: John David Rainey, Donald Trump's, Rainey, Lowe's, Walmart's, Brandon Sink, Marvin Ellison, it's, We're, We've, Matthew Shay, Tarang Amin, Steve Madden, Gabrielle Fonrouge Organizations: Walmart, Walmart Inc, CNBC, National Retail Federation Locations: Martinez , California, U.S, China

☆ Lowe's beats on earnings and hikes guidance, but still expects sales to fall this year
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The company beat fiscal second-quarter earnings expectations, but missed on sales and cut its full-year outlook blaming inflation. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)Lowe's beat Wall Street's quarterly earnings expectations on Tuesday, as outdoor do-it-yourself projects, the home professional business and stronger online shopping fueled sales. The company updated its full-year guidance on Tuesday, and now expects total sales of between $83 billion to $83.5 billion, higher than its previous forecast for $82.7 billion to $83.2 billion. Lowe's is lapping a year-ago period when the company lowered its outlook and sales tumbled nearly 13% year over year. Home Depot beat Wall Street's sales and earning expectations, yet posted its eighth quarter in a row of declining comparable sales.

Persons: Eric Thayer Organizations: LSEG, Home, Federal Reserve, Wall Locations: ANGELES , CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles , California, Lowe's

☆ Why Home Depot made an $18.25 billion bet on the pro business
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

In both of the past two quarters, Home Depot's revenue would have fallen year over year if SRS' sales were excluded. Melissa Repko | CNBCA jolt to the businessFor Home Depot, the expansion into the pro business comes at a challenging time. With housing turnover near its lowest in decades, the pro business has also felt pressure. Grom said Home Depot's growing pro business is what helps to attract investors and set it apart from its main competitor, Lowe's . The SRS deal and the focus on pro does not mean Home Depot is abandoning efforts to jolt the rest of its business.

Persons: Melissa Repko, Ted Decker, Decker, Dan Tinker, Joe Feldman, Chuck Grom, Gordon Haskett, Group's Feldman, it's, Grom, Tinker Organizations: Texas Pool Supply, CNBC, Depot, Home Depot, Telsey Advisory, Home, Federal Reserve, Lowe's Locations: Texas, CNBC PLANO , Texas, Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, U.S

☆ Home Depot’s sales are improving, but it says consumers are still cautious about spending
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-12 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

It previously expected total sales to rise by between 2.5% and 3.5% for the year. Home Depot customers have continued to put off projects, even though they're in good financial shape, he said. It marked the eighth consecutive quarter of negative comparable sales at Home Depot, though the smallest drop since the string of declines began. Sales related to Hurricanes Helene and Milton contributed about one half a percentage point of sales growth to the quarter. Even as Home Depot reports modest growth, some investors have bet the company will see stronger sales in the near future.

Persons: Richard McPhail, They're, McPhail, Hurricanes Helene, Milton, Donald Trump, We've, Steve Madden, Skelly Organizations: CNBC, LSEG, Revenue, Home, Shoppers, Weather, Home Depot, Hurricanes, Federal Reserve, Depot Locations: Mexico City, Mexico, U.S, Texas, China, North America, Santa Claus

☆ Steve Madden to slash China sourcing by as much as 45% as Trump's tariff plan looms
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-07 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Over the past few years, he said, it's looked for factories in other countries, including Cambodia, Vietnam, Mexico and Brazil. Rosenfeld said about two-thirds of Steve Madden's business are U.S. imports. Of that, he said, "we currently source a little bit more than 70% of those goods from China." That means slightly less than half of its business would be at risk of tariffs on Chinese imports, he said. He said the company has moved more of its production outside of China since tariffs began under Trump's first administration.

Persons: Steve Madden, Donald Trump, Edward Rosenfeld, it's, " Rosenfeld, Steve Madden's, Trump, Tarang Amin, Trump's, Kate Spade, Scott Roe, we've, Gabrielle Fonrouge Organizations: Retail Locations: China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Mexico, Brazil

For retailers and consumers finally feeling some relief from inflation, President-elect Donald Trump's tariffs proposal introduces fresh uncertainty around how prices could change during his presidency, analysts said Wednesday. Companies, retail trade groups and industry analysts have warned the move could fuel higher prices on a wide range of Americans' purchases such as sneakers and party supplies. "The adoption of across-the-board tariffs on consumer goods and other non-strategic imports amounts to a tax on American families," National Retail Federation CEO Matthew Shay said in a statement Wednesday. "Despite Trump's assertions to the contrary, tariffs are paid by the companies or entities importing goods and not by the countries themselves. Over time, supply chains would adjust to this change in tariff policy but it would be "incredibly disruptive" in the short term, said Saunders.

Persons: Donald, Trump, Matthew Shay, GlobalData, Neil Saunders, Saunders Organizations: NBC, China . Companies, Retail Federation Locations: China

☆ Judge blocks Coach owner Tapestry's proposed acquisition of Michael Kors parent Capri
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-24 | by ( Gabrielle Fonrouge | In Gabrielle-Fonrouge | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A federal judge blocked Tapestry's acquisition of Capri on Thursday following a brief trial last month in New York. Representatives for Tapestry and Capri didn't immediately return requests for comment. The decision will ensure that Tapestry and Capri continue to engage in head-to-head competition to the benefit of the American public." The decision comes as consumers balk at high prices for food, apparel and other goods after years of elevated inflation. Lawyers for Tapestry and Capri argued the companies are not each other's main competitors.

Persons: Jennifer Rochon, Kate Spade, Stuart Weitzman, Capri's Versace, Jimmy Choo, Michael Kors, Capri's, didn't, Henry Liu, Biden, Kamala Harris, Lina Khan, Capri, —, Melissa Repko Organizations: Federal, Tapestry, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Competition, Democratic Locations: Capri, New York, FTC's

Under the terms of the deal, Costco will offer Peloton's Bike+ in 300 of its U.S. stores for $1,999, and on Costco.com for $2,199 between Nov. 1 and Feb. 15. Costco is one way to get there, Dion Camp Sanders, Peloton's chief emerging business officer, told CNBC in an interview. The deal with Costco gets Peloton onto the shelves of a retailer with a strong fan following and wealthier customers. According to Numerator, 36% of Costco's customers have a household income of more than $125,000. As of this month, hotel members can earn points for completing workouts on the Peloton Bike and Row during their stay.

Persons: Barry McCarthy, Long, Dion Camp Sanders, Peloton's, We've, Camp Sanders, Gary Millerchip, Costco's, they've, Merchandising Claudine Adamo, Truemed Organizations: Costco, CNBC, Merchandising, Dick's Sporting Goods, PayPal Locations: U.S

Walmart will start to deliver prescriptions to customers' doorsteps. As CVS and Walgreens shutter hundreds of stores nationwide to shore up profits and investor sentiment, Walmart said Tuesday that it is offering a new option for customers: delivering prescriptions to their doorsteps. The prescription delivery service is another example of how Walmart is trying to outmatch competitors on convenience along with low prices. Still, it is unclear how much market share Walmart could win from CVS and Walgreens, both of which offer same-day, one-day and two-day prescription deliveries. Walmart's delivery service will be available for new prescriptions and refills, the company said.

Persons: Tom Ward, Ward, – Organizations: Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart U.S, Health Locations: Arkansas , Missouri, New York , Nevada, South Carolina, Wisconsin, North Dakota, U.S

☆ Elections, hurricane damage and more: Here are four factors that will shape holiday shoppers' purchases
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-19 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Several hard-to-predict factors will influence consumers' spending, as they deck the halls and look for the perfect gifts. That's a more modest increase than the 3.9% year-over-year jump from the 2022 to 2023 holiday season, when spending totaled $955.6 billion. Shoppers expect to spend an average of $1,778 on the holidays this year, 8% more than last holiday season, according to consulting firm Deloitte's survey. SharkNinja CEO Mark Barrocas described the election as the "biggest unknown" that will shape the holiday season. A shorter holiday season

Persons: Michael M, Stephen Rogers, Mario Tama, Rogers, Matt Shay, it's, Lance Allen, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Scott Olson, Mark Barrocas, It's, Jen Acerra, Ed Bastian, Evan Gold, Gold, Jack Kleinhenz, Allen, they're Organizations: Herald, Santiago, Getty, Deloitte, National Retail Federation, Shoppers, Deloitte's Consumer Industry Center, Walmart, Catering, Home Depot, Democratic, Republican, Amazon, Delta Air Lines, CNBC, Hurricane Milton, Anadolu, Planalytics, Depot Locations: New York City, Burbank , California, Traverse City , Michigan, Florida, Clearwater, Philadelphia, San Francisco, North Carolina

☆ Ulta Beauty shares fall as company sees 'headwinds' in beauty industry
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Melissa Repko | In Melissa-Repko | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An Ulta Beauty store in New York, US, on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. Ulta Beauty shares slumped on Wednesday morning, as the company said it sees "headwinds" and tougher competition in the beauty industry. As it hosted its investor day near its Chicago headquarters on Wednesday, the specialty retailer stuck by its forecast for this fiscal year. In his opening remarks at the investor day, CEO Dave Kimbell said this year "has been more challenging than planned." The investor day will include presentations on Ulta's strategy and a question-and-answer session with investors.

Persons: Ulta, Dave Kimbell, Kimbell Locations: New York, Chicago

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