Research Topic

Walnut Creek, Calif. – Retailers are taking advantage of volumes of Big Data and advanced analytical technology to uncover deep insights on customer behavior. However, according to a new study from RSR Research, they may be focusing on customer behavior to an extent they overlook other valuable insights.

Bed Bath & Beyond indicated in its fourth quarter earnings report that it may be joining Walmart and other retailers with plans to increase wages.

The company said it is lowering its 2015 earnings guidance due to "an increase in investments in compensation and benefits in 2015 beyond those historically planned."

Boston - Americans are more likely to subscribe to Amazon Prime for free two- day shipping than for Prime Instant Video, and in the U.S. when they do subscribe, are more likely to use Netflix than Prime Instant Video. According to a new study from global intelligence firm Strategy Analytics, nearly two-thirds (63%) of Amazon Prime subscribers used Netflix in the previous month compared to 59% who used Prime Instant Video.

In a column I wrote between Black Friday and Christmas last year, I talked about how “apparel sales have been languishing”, and I mentioned that the “industry buzz is all about the struggles in apparel, where retailers just can’t seem to discount clothing enough to get things to pick up.”

Rockaway, N.J. – Party City is joining the initial public offering (IPO) party. The retailer has filed paperwork for an IPO that could raise as much as $428 million and value the company up to $2 billion.

One of the main reasons Party City wants to take its celebration public is to support planned growth of 350 new North American stores. The retailer currently operates 900 Party City stores, as well as the Halloween City, Factory Card & Party Outlet and Party Packagers chains.

San Francisco - Shopping activity in March 2015 was relatively flat compared to the same month the prior year, yet rebounded from a lethargic and wintery February. According to new monthly benchmark data from Euclid Analytics, traffic declined less than expected year-over-year due to holiday shopping for an early-April Easter.

In-store engagement improved significantly year-over-year, as consumers’ desire to spend re-emerged after a subdued winter. Euclid estimates sales growth in the following retail verticals of:

Phoenix – Leslie’s Poolmart Inc. will open 15 new retail locations throughout the U.S. on Thursday, April 9. Cities with new stores will include Auburn, Bakersfield, Ceres, Palmdale; San Mateo and San Rafael, California; Rockledge, St. Augustine and Tallahassee, Florida; Gainesville, Georgia; Glenpool, Oklahoma; Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Hudson Oaks, Texas; Queen Creek, Arizona and Monroe, Louisiana.

Jeffersonville, Ind. – Retailers worried that it will take a while for consumers to become comfortable engaging in omnichannel commerce via wearable technology can rest easy.

According to new research from Accent Marketing, half of more than 1,000 consumers surveyed said they would buy wearable tech so brands can send alerts and have more insight into their lifestyle.

And three in four Millennial respondents said they believe wearable technology is a new way for brands to engage consumers. Other key findings include: