Research Topic

Against the backdrop of the most digital Christmas ever a new study from technology research firm EKN shows that most retailers don’t believe they are spending enough on the Internet, mobile, business intelligence and analytics.
 
EKN, with sponsorship from Cisco, Earthlink and Tata Consultancy Services, surveyed more than 120 retail information technology executives and uncovered some disturbing findings given the direction in which consumers are leading the retail industry.

New York -- The Jones Group has accepted a buyout offer of $15 per share in cash, or a total of approximately $1.2 billion, from private equity firm Sycamore Partners. Upon completion of the deal, Jones, whose brands include Nine West, Anne Klein and Easy Spirit, will become a privately held company.

Scaumburg, Ill. - Overall in-store satisfaction has grown 23% in the last six years. Meanwhile, the annual Motorola Solutions Holiday Shopping study shows that satisfaction with the checkout process and the availability of store associates has increased 32% and 23% respectively since 2008.

Walmart dominated the airwaves this holiday season and the investment paid off, according to advertising measurement firm Ace Metrix which compiled a list of the most effective holiday ads.

Walmart topped the list with a heartwarming spot called Christmas Magic which featuring a selfless child donating a toy he desired to the Salvation Army only to discover he was the recipient of the same toy on Christmas Day. Walmart aired more than 40 unique pieces of holiday-themed creative this season, making it the most prolific advertiser of the season, according to Ace Metrix.

Fort Worth, Texas – Pier 1 Imports boosted net income and sales during the third quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to the same period in the prior year, partially aided by strong Thanksgiving weekend performance. Net income totaled $26.8 million, up 13% from $23.7 million.

Total sales for the third quarter were $465.5 million, a 9.6% increase from $424.5 million in the year-ago quarter.

Same-store sales rose 6.9%, primarily attributable to increases in conversion rate and higher average ticket.

Los Angeles – Beauty, cosmetics and fragrance stores should experience 2.7% growth in sales to $13.1 billion during 2013. Industry revenue is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 0.8% from 2008 to 2013, according to business intelligence firm IbisWorld.

Port Washington, N.Y. -- In the week following Thanksgiving 2013 (Dec. 1 – Dec. 7, 2013), sales of mailing and shipping products were up 13% to $13.3 million, compared the previous year (Nov. 25 – Dec. 1, 2012). In addition, new analysis from The NPD Group indicates that within shipping and mailing categories, wrapping sales were up 52%, mailer sales rose 17% and packing tape sales grew 14%.

By channel, mailing and shipping product sales rose 14% in the brick-and-mortar channel compared to the same period a year earlier and 3% online.