Comag Marketing Group, LLC

Profits rose 7 percent at Wal-Mart Stores during the month, and were up 20 percent at TJX Companies, operators of discount clothing chains Marshalls and T.J. Maxx.  Department stores, by contrast, are expected to report first-quarter earnings declines this week, and some luxury stores are increasing the use of discounts.  The New York Times  (May [...]

As shoppers looked for bargains, both Wal-Mart and Costco turned in April sales that beat analysts’ expectations.  Sales at Wal-Mart locations open at least a year were up 3.2% in April, while Costco’s sales advanced by 8%.  Sales at mall stores like the Gap were generally down.  As one observer put it, “If you didn’t [...]