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Over the past week, we surveyed the 4 Woodgrill Buffet locations owned by Western Sizzlin in the United States to track sales trends of and business levels in March. We asked the following questions

1. What is the most popular menu item?

2. What is the price of those items?

3. Average bill for a party of two?

4. Do you offer carry out service? Is it growing in popularity?

5. Is this location busier than last month?

6. Is this a new location?

• At Woodgrill pork ribs (2), steaks (1) and fried chicken (1) were seen as the most popular menu items. At Western Sizzlin 23% said the Rib-Eye steak was the most popular menu item. 17% said that Steak and Shrimp were the most popular. 13% said chopped sirloin special while another 13% said the buffet was the most popular.

• The average bill for a party of two at Woodgrill is reported to be $31.00, including drinks, appetizers, etc. and is lower than the average bill we found at Western Sizzlin of $54.33 across that survey’s respondents.

• 3 out of 4 Woodgrill locations reported offering carry out service and these 3 out of 4 said carry out was growing in popularity. 90% Western Sizzlin locations reported they offer carry out service. 10% said they do not. 66% of locations report that carry out is growing in popularity.

• 2 Woodrill locations reported being busier in March compared to February, while 2 reported being less busy. 53% of Western Sizzlin respondents reported that there location is NOT busier than last month, while 47% report that it is busier. NOTE: Negative responses should be weighted more heavily be readers of these surveys.

• All four Woodgrill locations said they were new restaurants opened in the past year. 100% of the Western Sizzlin locations we contacted had been open more than one year (or were considered “not new”) according to our respondents.

Conclusion of Channel Check: The Woodgrill concept from Western Sizzlin is a new concept and it appears that its business trends are similar to the Western Sizzlin concept except in the average bill where Woodgrill (albeit a 4 store sample) has a much lower bill - $31 compared to $53 at Western Sizzlin. We will continue to track the trends among the different brand concepts managed by Western Sizzlin.

For access to the underlying survey or for more information, please contact Jason Katz at 415.867.0959 or jason@thechannelcheckers.com

Over the past week, we surveyed 19 Carter’s stores across the United States to track sales trends of and business levels in March. We asked the following questions

1. Is this store a new location or has it been open at least a year?

2. Are there upcoming sales on excess items?

3. How is business at you store compared to last year?

• We did not contact any new locations. 100% of responses were that the location we called had been open at least one year.

• 58% of respondents said that there would be major sales and discounts at Carter’s stores in the near future. 42% said there was not any unusual discounting or excess inventory at their Carter’s store.

• 47% of respondents said their store was less busy than this time last year. 32% said business levels were similar while 21% said business had increased from the year ago period.

   

Conclusion of Channel Check: The data in this report is suggests that there is moderate discounting at Carter’s stores in February and March and that business levels are generally lower than the year ago period. We are also not surprised to only speak with existing stores as retailers in general appear to be shirnking outlets as opposed to opening new locations.

For access to the underlying survey or for more information, please contact Jason Katz at 415.867.0959 or jason@thechannelcheckers.com

Over the past week, we surveyed 30 Destination Maternity stores across the United States to track sales trends of and business levels in March. We asked the following questions

1. What is the average receipt for paying customers?

2. Are sales up or down compared to last month?

3. Who do you consider your biggest competitor?

4. What are the most popular items for sale?

• The average receipt was $144.50 according to our survey respondents. The range of responses was from $35 - $500.

• 40% of respondents saw business as down in March from February, 40% saw business as being up and the remaining 20% thought business was flat in March from February. This dead on neutral response spread may suggest some bottoming in the business levels at this chain.

• Target was viewed as the biggest competitor by 20% of respondents. 27% said there were no direct competitors while another 14% cited Baby Gap as the stores primary competition.

• Maternity dresses and Maternity shirts were seen as the top selling items according to 20% of respondents each. A Pea in the Pod collection was mentioned by 7% marking the only “brand” mentioned by respondents.

   

Conclusion of Channel Check: The data in this report is muted but not strongly negative as is the trend in many retailers. The average receipt takes on meaning in future surveys we will perform on Destination Maternity. Target and Baby Gap appear to be the competitors to watch for Destination.

For access to the underlying survey or for more information, please contact Jason Katz at 415.867.0959 or jason@thechannelcheckers.com

Over the past week, we surveyed 30 Western Sizzlin locations across the United States to track sales trends of and business levels in March. We asked the following questions

1. What is the most popular menu item?

2. What is the price of those items?

3. Average bill for a party of two?

4. Do you offer carry out service? Is it growing in popularity?

5. Is this location busier than last month?

6. Is this a new location?

• 23% said the Rib-Eye steak was the most popular menu item. 17% said that Steak and Shrimp were the most popular. 13% said chopped sirloin special while another 13% said the buffet was the most popular.

• The average bill for a party of two, including drinks, appetizers, etc. was $54.33 across this survey.

• 90% of locations report they do offer carry out service. 10% said they do not. 66% of locations report that carry out is growing in popularity.

• 53% of respondents report that there location is NOT busier than last month, while 47% report that it is busier. NOTE: Negative responses should be weighted more heavily be readers of these surveys.

• 100% of the locations we contacted had been open more than one year (or were considered “not new”) according to our respondents.

Conclusion of Channel Check: Business levels appear to be headed slightly downwards for Western Sizzlin in March. Carry out service does seem to be growing in popularity although not every location offers it. The average bill metric does not convey meaning now, but will as we run subsequent surveys on Western Sizzlin.

For access to the underlying survey or for more information, please contact Jason Katz at 415.867.0959 or jason@thechannelcheckers.com

Over the past week, we surveyed 30 Movado stores across the United States to track sales trends of and business levels in March. We asked the following questions

1. What % of walk in customers are buying items as opposed to just looking?

2. Is store traffic up or down versus last month?

3. What is the average receipt for a paying customer?

4. Most popular item?

5. Who do you consider you main competitor?

• The average of all responses was 35%. This implies that in March on average 35% of walk-in purchased an item from the store. The answer sets ranged from 5% to 70%.

• 60% of respondents believe that business is down in March compared to February. 40% of respondents believe that business is up in March.

• The average ticket price of purchases across all respondents was $384.53. Answers ranged from under $100 to over $1,000.

• The Movado Diamond was seen as the top selling item according to 13% of respondents. 37% of respondents cited “watches” as a generic category. Jewelry as a category was mentioned by an additional 10% of respondents.

• Macy’s, Rolex, Tag Heuer were mentioned as competitors, but the largest response was “No One” according to 23% of respondents..

Conclusion of Channel Check: The data suggests business is slowing at Movado in March. Some of the results appear to indicate that jewelry is selling on par with watches. Jewelry appears to be a lower priced item in the Movado product line.

For access to the underlying survey or for more information, please contact Jason Katz at 415.867.0959 or jason@thechannelcheckers.com

Over the past week, we surveyed 30 Sears stores across the United States to track sales trends of and business levels in March. We asked the following questions

1. Do you have excess inventory of any particular product or brand of product that will go on sale or discount soon?

2. What is the top selling brand of clothes right now?

3. Is the economy negatively affecting your sales?

4. How is business compared to business last month?

• 50% of respondents said they did have excess inventory, most often citing washing machines and other household appliance or kitchen related products. 50% of respondents said they did not have excess inventory in their stores.

• Levi’s was seen as the top selling clothing brand according to 20% of respondents. 17% cited Apostrophe as the top brand while 10% cited Adidas.

• 53% of respondents said that the poor economy had impacted sales at their store locations. 47% said that the economy was not negatively impacting their store.

• 40% said that business in March was “Above Average” while another 7% said business was “Very Strong” in March. This positive trend in responses matches results we have seen from our recent Target (http://www.thechannelcheckers.com/2009/03/target-stores-stronger-in-march-mossimo-top-womens-brand/) and Walmart surveys (http://www.thechannelcheckers.com/2009/03/walmart-sees-good-performance-in-march-survey-shows-low-inventories-too/) . 33% said business was “Average” while 20% said it was below average.

Conclusion of Channel Check: The data in this report is shows improvement in inventory levels and business trends at Sears. While the Sears results have improved since our last survey, they are tracking below the improvements seen in Target and Walmart with more people still reporting excess inventory and “Below Average” sales in March. Levi’s and Apostrophe brands look to be selling well at Sears.

For access to the underlying survey or for more information, please contact Jason Katz at 415.867.0959 or jason@thechannelcheckers.com

Over the past week, we surveyed 30 Walmart stores across the United States to track sales trends of and business levels in March. We asked the following questions

 

1. Do you think the weak housing market and weak economy are hurting business at your location?

2. What is the top selling brand of women’s clothing right now?

3. How is business at you store currently?

4. Do you have excess inventory of any particular product or brand of product that will go on sale or discount soon?

 

• Surprisingly only 40% of respondents stated that the weak housing market or the weak economy overall was hurting business at their store location. 60% said these macro factors were not affecting sales at their store location. This is a very similar result to our survey results from Target stores.

• Faded Glory was the top selling women’s brand according to 23% of respondents. 20% said it was Danskin Hoodies while 16% said Norma Komali was the top women’s brand. .

• Another major surprise (also seen in our Target Survey) in this survey was that 37% of respondents reported business as “Very Strong” at their store location while another 40% said business was “Above Average”. 17% reported business “Average” and 7% reported business as “Below Average”.

• 30% of respondents did confirm their was excess inventory of some items like toys, Valentine’s Day items and electronics like TV’s. 70% said there was not any excess inventory at their store location.

 Conclusion of Channel Check: The data in this report is surprising when compared to the broader economic news in the market today. The business levels appear to be strong compared to our historical surveys on Walmart and other big box retailers. The impact of negative housing also seems to be shrinking at least in the employees perceptions. Faded Glory ( a Walmart store brand) scored very strongly in this survey.

 For access to the underlying survey or for more information, please contact Jason Katz at 415.867.0959 or jason@thechannelcheckers.com

 

Over the past week, we surveyed 30 Target stores across the United States to track sales trends of and business levels in March. We asked the following questions

 

1. Do you think the weak housing market and weak economy are hurting business at your location?

2. What is the top selling brand of women’s clothing right now?

3. How is business at you store currently?

4. Do you have excess inventory of any particular product or brand of product that will go on sale or discount soon?

 

• Surprisingly only 53% of respondents stated that the weak housing market or the weak economy overall was hurting business at their store location. 47% said these macro factors were not affecting sales at their store location.

• Mossimo was the top selling women’s brand according to 37% of respondents. 30% said it was Merona and 7% said Isaac Misrahi was the top women’s brand. .

• Another surprise in this survey was that 50% of respondents reported business as “above average” at their store location while another 27% said business was “very strong”. 20% reported business “Average” and 7% reported business as “Below Average”.

• 44% of respondents did confirm their was excess inventory of some items like digital cameras and women’s tops while 66% said there was not any excess inventory at their store location.

 

Conclusion of Channel Check: The data in this report is surprising when compared to the broader economic news in the market today. The business levels appear to be strong compared to our historical surveys on Target and other big box retailers. The impact of negative housing also seems to be shrinking at least in the employees perceptions. Mossimo scored very strongly in this survey and 30%+ recommendations are rare for big department store surveys. .

 

For access to the underlying survey or for more information, please contact Jason Katz at 415.867.0959 or jason@thechannelcheckers.com

 

Over the past week, The Channel Checkers surveyed 30 Ford dealerships across the United States to track sales of cars and trucks in real-time. We asked dealers the following questions:

1. What is the best promotional deal right now?

2. Are you selling more/less/same number of cars and trucks as last month?

3. What is the best selling model?

4. Can I get financing for that model?

• Deals on new cars and trucks were widespread at the Ford dealers we contracted in this survey. Deals ranged from 0% financing to up to $4,000 cash back at two dealers. 37% of dealers were offering cash back from $1,500 to $4,000. 20% were offering 0% financing ranging from 48-60 months.

• 53% of respondents reported selling fewer cars than in the previous month, while 37% reported selling more. 10% reported sales were the same as the previous month.

• The Ford Focus was the top selling vehicle according to 33% of respondents. The Ford F-150 was said to be the top selling vehicle according to 20% of respondents. 13% of respondents each saw the Ford Mustang and the Ford Fusion as the top selling vehicles.

• Regardless of the top selling model at a particular dealership 97% of respondents reported that financing was available. 3% of respondents said that financing was not available.

Conclusion of Channel Check: While monthly sales trends are negative for Ford, the rate of negative respondents was less than we might have expected. Sales of the Ford F-150 appear strong and could be a positive sign for Ford as these carry higher profit margins and reflect the falling price of gasoline in the U.S.. Strong sales of the Mustang also suggest some positive trends for gross margins for Ford in coming months. The wide availability of financing appears to be a positive.

For access to the underlying survey or for more information, please contact Jason Katz at 415.867.0959 or jason@thechannelcheckers.com

Over the past week, The Channel Checkers surveyed 30 GameStop and EB Games (same parent company) stores across the United States to track sales trends of gaming consoles and video games.

1. What is the best selling game platform?

2. What is the best selling video game right nowt?

3. What will be the next big game released over the next three months?

• 40% said Microsoft X-box was the top selling game console. 27% cited the N intendo Wii as the top seller, while an additional 13% thought the Nintendo DS was the top seller. 20% of respondents saw the Sony Playstation 3 as the top selling console.

• Street Fighter IV, produced by Capcom for the X-Box and Playstation 3, was seen as the top selling game according to 37% of respondents. 13% reported that pre-sales for Halo Wars was the top selling unit. 7% cited Dawn of War as the top game while another 7% cited Major League Baseball 2K9 (Take Two Interactive) pre-sales as the top selling unit.

• Halo Wars which launches at Midnight on March 2, 2009 was seen as the most anticipated new games coming out in the next three months by 27% of respondents. Another 27% thought Resident Evil 5 (also from Capcom) would be the top new game coming out in the next three months. 10% cited Major League Baseball 2K9, which launches on March 3rd.

Conclusion of Channel Check: Sony Playstation 3 is doing much better in relation to the Nintendo Wii and Microsoft X-Box than in any survey we have conducted over the past twelve months (contact Jason Katz: jason@thechannelcheckers.com for access to the historical data series). Street Fighter IV looks like a strong current performer but blockbuster titles tend to be seen as the top seller by 50%+ of respondents. Anticipation for Halo Wars (27%) so close to its launch is a little lower than we have seen historically and might suggest the demand for the game is not on par with the launch of Halo 3. Demand for Resident Evil 5, not due to launch until March 13^th is good in light of the marketing blitz around Halo Wars and Major League Baseball 2K9.