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Wal-Mart is being viewed as an entrepreneurial success story on one end and as a greedy multinational corporation on the other. The retail company is praised for its aggressive pricing policy but is heavily criticized for its anti-labor practices and exploiting sweatshop workers across Asia.

While many diamond jewelry consumers continue to do their shopping at their friendly neighborhood store, it is the big jewelry chains, department stores, discounters, TV shopping channels and other volume [...]

Fly the Smiley Skies? It could happen. The reality of Wal-Mart's vast power is starting to sink in among world business leaders. If it were a country, Wal-Mart would be [...]

According to the Home Accents Today exclusive Universe Study, sponsored by George Little Management, total sales of home accents were $62 billion in 2001, estimated to be a healthy $63 [...]

Wal-Mart, of course, is unchallenged in the discount store arena, where it is roughly five to six times the size of its nearest competitor, Target Stores. What some people don't [...]

In today's retail race Wal-Mart decidedly leads the pack by several laps in volume of sales, posting revenues of $191.3 billion and earnings of just under $6.3 billion in 2000. [...]

Recent business activities of UK food and drink shops are discussed.

There are varied prospects for the retail store industry in 1999 with increased market share gains for the discount store sector and mixed results foreseen for the department store chains. Efforts to improve marketing through the Internet are being taken by many companies in this industry, either through acquisition or internally. These stocks have outperformed the market for the past several years after a weak 1994 and 1995, but their potential for appreciation for the next three to five years is not great.

More moderate consumer confidence and warmer-than-usual weather were the key factors in lower-than-expected same-store sales at many US department stores during the 3rd qtr of 1998, but share advances are expected through the years 2001-2003. Market share for discount stores sich as Family Dollar Stores and Dollar General continue to expand, as well. Investors need to evaluate individual stocks before selection.

Future prospects for the retail store industry are mixed, especially for department stores where women's apparel sales have been weak in 1997. The outlook for discount stores is better, however, as they continue to gain a greater share of the market. Retail stocks have outperformed the market in 1996 and 1997 after a weak 1994 and 1995. Investors must consider individual stocks, as the industry is unattractive for the next three to five years.

The retail environment has improved considerably in 1997 over 1996, in both same store results and operating profits, especially for department stores. The shift from consumer hard goods and electronics towards a wider range of goods and the development of private-label brands have been two trends in department stores, and the market share for discounters has increased. However, these are not attractive stocks through the years 2000-2002.

Economic growth and stock performance in the retail store industry seems to vary greatly among the individual members of the industry with most observers expecting department stores and discount houses that post strong returns to continue on the same track, or possibly at a slower rate, while the poor performers will have mixed results. Following poor performances in 1994 and 1995, retail store stocks outperformed the market in 1996 and the first quarter of 1997. Investors should seek companies that have and maintain the best competitive edge.

The environment for the retail industry, especially department stores, has improved in terms of same-store sales and profits in 1996 when compared to 1994 and 1995. Department stores have been accelerating the trend to private labels, as well as changing their merchandise offerings. However, results for discount store chains have been more mixed in 1996. Timeliness for these stocks has increased in 1996, but investors must still be selective.

The environment for the retail industry in operating profits and same-store sales, especially for the department store segment, has improved in 1996 over 1994 and 1995, and stocks of the leading chains are stronger. However, results for discount store chains, such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc and Kmart Corp, have been mixed. Although timeliness for these stocks has increased in 1996, investors must consider long-term competition as well as market share.

The environment for the retail industry is strong in 1996, especially for department stores, compared to 1994 and 1995. The leading department stores are accelerating proprietary brand developments and shifting merchandise offerings, as well as automating internal functions. Results for discount chains, such as Wal-Mart, Kmart, Dollar General, and Family Dollar Stores are more mixed, however. These stocks must be selected on an individual basis.

Trends for same-store sales were weak in the retail store industry during the 4th qtr of 1995, with consumer spending only half the 5% increase of selling space expansion. Small stores with convenient locations helped some chains remain successful, and consolidation and changes in merchandising have enhanced margins for some department stores. Investors should consider stocks with long-term competitive advantages and market share.

Profits are slowing in the retail industry in 1995, due to high promotion levels and and erratic same-store sales. Large item sales and low wage growth are also affecting retail earnings. Consolidation is continuing industry-wide, especially among larger department stores, such as Federated, Macy's, and Wal-Mart. Retail stocks are volatile and investors need to watch Beta trends and other measures before investment.

Retail stores reported weaker 1st qtr earnings in 1995, mainly due to higher interest rates and layoffs. Increased debt service, interest rates, and job insecurity could also lower retail sales in the rest of 1995 and for 1996. Several retail chains, such as Wal-Mart, are opening new stores, however. Retail industry stocks are cyclical and, with exceptions such as Wal-Mart and Kohl's, will underperform the market.

A number of influences will affect the performance of the retail store industry. Possibilities such as a weakening of the economy and a slowdown in consumer spending would have a significant impact on the industry's growth. Retailers also have fierce competition for market share, with many of them using value retailing to improve customer traffic. Improvements in customer service and increasing the use of private label will also affect the industry. Investments in this industry will be highly volatile.

Retail store sales suffered from the California earthquake and poor weather but should recover by spring 1994. The latter half of 1993 was marked by improved durable spending, benefitting furniture and home appliance vendors but worsening margins for many broad-based merchandisers. Clothing sales should improve in 1994 and durable sales should continue. Because consumers are looking for value, stores with low operating costs should benefit.

The retail industry is improving with a stronger than expected 1993 holiday season, beginning Nov 1993, and industry stocks are reflecting optimism. Retail stocks rose 10% from Sep to Nov 1993, and two-thirds of the firms' securities experienced gains. Retailers have streamlined their operations and have kept prices down by entering agreements with suppliers. Lower prices and value-for-the-money will be key themes among retailers during the decade. However, the stock group is volatile and investors should invest with caution.

FOR YEARS, STEVE EDWARDS HAD been scared to open a grocery store in Little Rock. The market had been dominated by Kroger, Affiliated Food's Harvest Foods and the leader, Wal-Mart [...]

The budget for the year 2014-15, presented by the new Government, ushered in good news for the textile sector. Expanding horizons and capacities, the budget declared duty-free entitlement for import [...]

It's a good thing chain drug stores are generating strong business from their pharmacy departments and front ends--where many of the leading chains are expanding their assortments of convenience foods, [...]

THIS IS 'THE STUFF OF LIFE.' That's Kmart's new slogan, and it couldn't be more appropriate. In the retailing jungle, life is dangerous. The slow and ponderous animals are devoured [...]

Kmart's implosion may have registered a devastating 7 on the Richter Scale, but it has sent relatively mild shock waves through the retail industry. Hundreds of stores will indeed go [...]

Low-price, dollar discount stores are beginning to steal the thunder from their higher-profile big-box competitors. The store count development of traditional general merchandise discount stores has slowed to a crawl [...]

The Walmart Foundation announced a $2.5 million grant to Share Our Strength to help families nationwide gain valuable hands-on shopping, cooking and nutrition education so they can eat healthy on [...]

Tiger Group announced that dramatic shifts in the retail grocery business continue to create opportunities for asset-based lenders and private-equity investors alike. But as a Tiger Group expert noted in [...]

Tiger Group announced that dramatic shifts in the retail grocery business continue to create opportunities for asset-based lenders and private-equity investors alike. But as a Tiger Group expert noted in [...]

Food For Thought Denver has been selected as one of 60 winning hunger relief agencies to receive a $20,000 grant from Walmart's Fighting Hunger Together initiative. According to a release, [...]

Shoppers at Baltimore's Walmart learned new skills for buying healthy food on a limited budget on June 26, after a series of educational grocery shopping events in the store. According [...]

Shoppers at Baltimore's Walmart learned new skills for buying healthy food on a limited budget on June 26, after a series of educational grocery shopping events in the store. According [...]

Bharti Walmart is planning to raise Rs500 crore for expanding its operations in India. The company is a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and Walmart of the US. Bharti Walmart [...]

Washington, Benton Counties Escape Recent Hard Times RELYING ON THE SPIRIT of a contrarian, northwest Arkansas has reaped incredible prosperity since the 1980s. Consider the following: * With infrastructure problems [...]