Pep Boys Auto Store Workers say Specials Don't Help Business, Survey says 

Pep Boys Auto, the auto part and services retailer was surveyed by Tickermine this month. Our surveyors asked about current store specials, whether these accelerated business, what product or service was selling well that week and whether a sluggish economy impacted business at all. Twenty eight stores were polled. Eighteen respondents or 64% of those polled were offering the "Buy 3 tires get the 4th free" deal that week. Three respondents offered brake specials and another three had deals on motor oil (11% each). Two respondents or 7% offered specials on filters and one (4%) offered specials on tools. We found it interesting that most people, 15 or 54% thought that these sales and discounts did not accelerate business and 13 or 46% felt it did. Most store respondents, 15 or 54% said tires were selling best that week. Six or 21% said oil change, 3 or 11% reported brakes and one person or 4% each cited the following: Batteries, tools, wiper blades and repairs. Interestingly 20 respondents or 71% felt the economy had no bearing on their store’s business. Only 8 people or 29% did.

Diesel Jeans Selling Better Than Last Month at 57% of Urban Outfitter Stores

TickerMine asked 30 Urban Outfitters stores about denim sales and learned that sales of Diesel brand jeans are better than last month for 57% of respondents. Seventeen percent reported that sales are not as strong as last month, and 20 percent said sales are about the same. Seventy-seven percent of stores said no Diesel styles are on backorder right now. Seventeen percent reported that the Zathan is on backorder; Bootcut and Safado styles are also on backorder at 3% of stores. Other popular brands of denim at Urban Outfitters include Levi's (27%), BDG (17%), and LUX (13%).

Business Down at Bed Bath and Beyond

Business is down or flat compared to last year at 74% of Bed Bath and Beyond locations contacted in a recent survey. 97% of those polled say their most successful products are ones that they carry year after year, primarily bedding. Although 97% stated that they currently have a lot of new seasonal products, just 12% listed seasonal products (summer umbrellas and patio furniture) as their hottest sellers right now. 58% cited bedding as their hottest selling item, especially DKNY and Tommy Hilfiger brands. 74% match their competitors’ sales prices.

Pacific Sunwear California Reports Average Sales Receipt Over $50

Nearly 54% of Pacific Sunwear locations report that their average sale is over $50, with 12% reporting an average over $100. The casual apparel specialty store cited its best-selling items as Bullhead Jeans (30% of mentions), Tilt Jeans (26%) and Nike sneakers (26%). Just 9% of respondents said their best-selling item is on back-order.