The U.S. retail sector conveyed mixed signals this week following a wave of incoming earnings reports and the release of consumer spending and student loan repayments data. While retail earnings largely beat Wall Street expectations, an increase in student loan repayment concerns has convinced analysts to suggest caution despite a large influx of upbeat data.
While Target’s earnings fell short of company expectations, big box rival Walmart reported a strong quarterly performance, growing both in-store and online sales and lifting its full-year guidance as a result.
“Historically, our value proposition has been known for everyday low prices and for providing that value for customers,” Walmart CFO John David Rainey explained. “And what we see right now is that convenience resonates just as much to our customer base. And if you’re a household that makes over $100,000 a year, you value convenience just as much as the next person.”