coronavirus

Bolingbrook, Ill. — Ulta Beauty Inc. has reported that its comparable sales decreased 8.9 percent compared with an increase of 3.2 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Net sales decreased 7.8 percent to $1.6 billion, compared with $1.7 billion in third-quarter 2019. The Bolingbrook-based beauty retailer says the drop is due to the impact of COVID-19. This quarter, Ulta opened 17 new stores, compared with 31 new stores in third-quarter 2019. Net income was $74.8 million compared with $129.7 million for the same period last year. “We know …

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Washington, D.C. — Retail consumers have shown excitement for holiday shopping this year, says Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation (NRF). Because of the challenges of this year, Shay and the NRF believe people will buy gifts that may “lift the spirits of family and friends.” The NRF has forecasted U.S. holiday sales to grow between 3.6 percent and 5.2 percent compared to 2019. The expected growth would mean a range between $755.3 billion and $766.7 billion in sales for the season, which NRF defines as …

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Pittsburgh — Dick’s Sporting Goods reported a 23.2 percent increase in same-store sales for its fiscal third quarter that ended Oct. 31, the company’s best performance in that metric since going public nearly two decades ago. In addition, the Pittsburgh-based retailer saw its e-commerce sales rise by 95 percent relative to the third quarter of 2019, ending the period with roughly $1.1 billion in cash. Net income for the third quarter stood at approximately $177 million, a healthy 67 percent increase from the $57.5 million in net income reported in …

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Richfield, Minn. — Best Buy Co. Inc. reported that its comparable-store sales grew 23 percent in the third quarter compared with the same period a year ago, a figure CEO Corie Barry called “remarkable.” The Richfield-based retailer’s third quarter ended Oct. 31. Barry cited the company’s supply chain expertise, flexible store operating model and ability to shift quickly to digital for the growth in sales. Best Buy’s domestic online sales grew 174 percent in the third quarter. Barry also explained that there is an elevated demand for products that help …

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Minneapolis — Citing its multiple shopping channels and merchandising mix, Target Corp. reported Wednesday that its third-quarter comparable sales grew 20.7 percent compared with the same period a year ago. Digital comparable sales soared 155 percent, accounting for 10.9 percentage points of Target’s comparable sales growth. Same-day services such as order pickup grew 217 percent. “Our strong results in 2020 reflect the benefits of our multi-year effort to build a durable and flexible model, with a suite of fulfillment options,” said Brian Cornell, chairman and CEO, in a prepared statement. …

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Washington, D.C. — Retail sales have been increasing month-over-month and year-over-year for every month since June, according to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Monthly Economic Review. Retail sales in October were up 1.9 percent over September, which beat expectations from economists surveyed by Dow Jones. Additionally, October retail sales were up 8.6 percent since January 2020, according to research from Harvard University’s Opportunity Insights Economic Tracker. NRF’s chief economist Jack Kleinhenz notes in the monthly report that the rebounding sales were a positive indicator for retailers that are hoping for a robust …

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Philadelphia Fashion District

Chattanooga, Tenn. and Philadelphia — Against headwinds brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, CBL & Associates Properties Inc. andPennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sunday, Nov. 1. PREIT Philadelphia-based PREIT owns and operates 22.5 million square feet of retail space including 19 mall properties in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, Michigan, North Carolina and South Carolina. The company has reached a Restructuring Support Agreement (RSA) with its bank lenders, under which an additional $150 million will be committed to recapitalize the business …

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Louisville, Ky. — Yum Brands reported third-quarter revenue of $1.45 billion, up 8 percent from the same period a year ago. Taco Bell reported the highest positive year-over-year growth, recording $501 million in sales, a 2 percent increase from third-quarter 2019. Pizza Hut’s sales also grew, reaching $243 million, a 1 percent increase. Though KFC recorded the highest company sales total, reaching $583 million for the quarter, it was still a 4 percent decrease from the $609 million total recorded in the third quarter of 2019. Additionally, Louisville-based Yum Brands …

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Seattle — Starbucks Coffee reports that global comparable-store sales fell 9 percent in the fiscal fourth quarter on a year-over-year basis, but the company’s performance still beat economists’ expectations. Total revenue for the Seattle-based coffee chain reached $6.2 billion in the fiscal fourth quarter, which ended Sept. 27. Economists had expected the total to be $6.06 billion. “I am very pleased with our strong finish to fiscal 2020, underpinned by a faster-than-expected recovery in our two lead growth markets, the U.S. and China,” says Kevin Johnson, president and CEO of …

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Albany, N.Y. — Stuyvesant Plaza has donated $100,000 worth of gift cards to help students at the University of Albany buy basic needs items, professional clothing for job interviews and health and wellness services. The gift cards can be used at retailers within the shopping center, which is situated at 1475 Western Ave., adjacent to the university. Stuyvesant Plaza is home to 18 tenants and was originally built in 1959. “UAlbany students are part of the fabric of the Capital Region and the Stuyvesant Plaza community,” says Edward Swyer, president …

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