Results Begin to Roll in

摘要

This week we'll find out how the fourth quarter played out for a whole host of retailers as quarterly reports are filed by Macy's, Target, Sears/Kmart, Home Depot, TJX and Kohl's. Market share leaders Wal-Mart and JCPenney last week both reported weak sales but better-than-expected results. Their business in home couldn't have been more different. At Walmart U.S., home showed improved profitabil-rnity thanks in large measure to Walmart's reduction in supplier relationships and inventory. At JCPenney, it was the weakest department in the store. Company executives did not delve into the reasons why.rnWith a few more top home retailers spilling to analysts in the coming days, one hopes a broader directional trend will emerge for the category.