Deborah Weinswig, Citigroup Global

The Kroger Company (KR) - Deborah Weinswig at Citigroup Global

Analysts are predicting earnings of $1.66 per share. Kroger has faced increasing pricing competition from wholesale chains like Costco ( COST , news , people ) and BJ's Wholesale Club ( BJ , news , people ), both of which began accepting food stamps since the onset of the recession in an effort to garner sales from cash strapped and unemployed shoppers. In an effort to retain household loyalty, Kroger has expanded its discounts at the pump. Customers can get 10 cents off each gallon of gas for a single fuel purchase for every $100 they spend on grocery items. According to Citi analyst Deborah Weinswig, "Pricing pressure from aggressive price cuts at competitors" could weigh on Kroger's top line growth and margins. 

Safeway Inc. (SWY) - Deborah Weinswig at Citigroup Global

Citigroup analyst Deborah L Weinswig reiterated her Sell rating for shares of Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY) with a target price of $16. . Although the analyst was largely positive in her coverage of Safeway Inc., weakness in consumer demand was her biggest concern. 

The Home Depot, Inc. (HD) - Deborah Weinswig at Citigroup Global

As Deborah Weinswig at Citi highlights, Home Depot is experiencing a demand rebound across all of its regions. 

Nordstrom, Inc. (JWN) - Deborah Weinswig at Citigroup Global

Nordstrom Rack is becoming increasingly important for the company and Maschmeyer estimates that the Rack generated $350 million in sales for Nordstrom this year During the call, executives talked about a project in the works for bringing Nordstrom Rack online, but it would be introduced no earlier than August In a Feb 18 note, CitiGroup Global Market's Deborah Weinswig called the Rack a "top line driver" that can take market share away from competitors by "carrying the right merchandise, offering a good shopping experience and delivering accelerated growth of 15 new Racks per year" Liana B Baker is a MarketWatch reporter based in San Francisco 

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT) - Deborah Weinswig at Citigroup Global

More than 70% of retailers in the survey said they planned more price focused advertising in 2010, with most of those — 578% of the total — saying they would increase price focused advertising "a little" vs 138% who said they expected to increase such messaging "a lot" Deborah Weinswig, an analyst with Citigroup, New York, in a research report on the outlook for 2010, predicted an "all out price war" among supermarket operators this year, citing aggressive moves by Wal Mart that will keep traditional supermarkets under pressure "There will likely be further price investments from food retailers and gross margin pressure as they scramble to match Wal Mart's aggressive pricing in 2010," she wrote "We believe that what the food retailers experienced in 2009 was the result of a ‘modern day' price war, and we expect an ‘old time' price war to break out in 2010" In other indications that food retailers have a somewhat pessimistic outlook on the year in terms of consumer spending, nearly half — 486% — said they expect the trend of smaller baskets to continue in 2010, albeit accompanied by more frequent customer visits 

CVS Caremark Corp (CVS) - Deborah Weinswig at Citigroup Global

Citigroup analyst Deborah L Weinswig said that the company's earnings were inline with consensus estimate as well as their estimates and that CVS reiterated its 2010 EBIT guidance for PBM and retail segments Furthermore, the company provided 2010 guidance that was inline with consensus estimates However, Citigroup sees its guidance on the conservative end Weinswig said, "Management noted that LDG has already exceeded profitability targets driven by strong margin performance and solid expense management 

Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) - Deborah Weinswig at Citigroup Global

The appointment "demonstrates the strength and depth of (Costco's) management team," Citigroup analyst Deborah Weinswig said in a report "All executive officers have at least 24 years of service with the company, which we believe is unparalleled in retail (Costco's) long tenured senior executives and low management turnover are a unique competitive advantage and have driven consistent execution over the long term (It) also has a strong bench that it can tap if and when current CEO Jim Senegal decides to step down" The S&P Retail Index /quotes/comstock/10u!i:rlx ( RLX 40073 , +200 , +050% ) was little changed at 39885 Ahead of retailers' January same store sales reports on Thursday, chain store sales for the week ended Jan 30 rose 04% from the year earlier period, their smallest increase in January, according to a survey released Tuesday by the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs 

Macy's, Inc. (M) - Deborah Weinswig at Citigroup Global

The company said Thursday it plans to unveil four Bloomingdale's outlets in summer or fall this year with additional locations to be rolled out in 2011 and beyond "We view Macy's decision to launch a new Bloomingdale's Outlet store concept this year as a positive," said Citigroup analyst Deborah Weinswig "Consumers continue to focus on value and off price retail concepts have been delivering good results" Sears Holdings Corp /quotes/comstock/15*!shld /quotes/nls/shld ( SHLD 9935 , +034 , +034% ) shares rose 01% 

Dollar General Corporation (DG) - Deborah Weinswig at Citigroup Global

Analysts initiate coverage of Dollar General NEW YORK Several analysts initiated coverage of Dollar General Corp on Wednesday, saying the discount store operator has a lot of room to grow because it taps into consumers' desire to get basic items at a low cost. Shoppers have flocked to discount stores during the recession as they look to spend less money on their purchases Citi Investment Research's Deborah Weinswig predicts Dollar General will continue to benefit from the middle to low income consumers' focus on value purchases She gave the company a "Buy" rating and $30 price target 

Dollar General Corporation (DG) - Deborah Weinswig at Citigroup Global

By Chip Brian, SmarTrend Analytics Team 12/23/2009 Citigroup equity research initiated Dollar General Corp ( NYSE:DG ) with a Buy Rating Wednesday and a target price of $30 Citigroup analyst Deborah L Weinswig said their rating and target price reflects a 19x multiple on their move above consensus 2010 EPS estimates of $160, which will yield an expected total return (ETR) of 339% Weinswig cited encouragement from the company's continued strong revenues, fundamental, and earnings momentum and believe DG has a sustainable business model and is also a compelling deleveraging and cash flow story