Business Analytics

Increased traffic at Costco helped fueled sales in the first quarter of 2014.

Pleasanton, Calif. – Safeway has appointed Brian Baer to president of the company's Eastern Division. Baer joined Safeway in 2001 as VP finance for the company's Phoenix Division. In 2004, he became group VP finance planning and analysis at the Safeway's corporate headquarters.

BitPay, a company that allows merchants to use bitcoin, has reported a spike in transactions this year.

The company has processed more than $100 million in transactions this year, and its membership now includes more than 15,500 merchants in 200 countries. The number of merchants has increased by more than 50%, while transaction volume has tripled since the creation of the All Inclusive Pricing Plan in October and the integration with Shopify in November.

Burlington, N.J. – Burlington Coat Factory shrunk its net loss to $7.4 million from $16.8 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2013, compared to the same period a year earlier.

The retailer also increased net sales 10% to $1.06 billion, from $967.9 million.

Burlington said the net sales increase was primarily attributable to a $53.2 million increase in sales related to new stores and stores previously opened that are not included in same-store sales, and a $37 million, or 3.9%, increase in same-store sales.

Lumber Liquidators has raised its full year 2013 outlook based on year-to-date results and current trends.

The company now expects net sales in the range of $994 million to $1 billion, up from a previous range of $985 million to $995 million, with the fourth quarter ranging from $252 million to $258 million.

Lumber Liquidators also expects to open a total of 29-30 new stores during 2013 and increase net store sales 15% to 16%, up from a previous range of 14% to 15%, with the fourth quarter ranging from 13% to 15%.

Toano, Va. – Lumber Liquidators has raised its full year 2013 outlook. Based on year-to-date results and current trends, the company now expects net sales in the range of $994 million to $1 billion, up from a previous range of $985 million to $995 million, with the fourth quarter ranging from $252 million to $258 million.

Lumber Liquidators also expects to open a total of 29-30 new stores during 2013 and increase net store sales 15% to 16%, up from a previous range of 14% to 15%, with the fourth quarter ranging from 13% to 15%.

Burlington Stores credited performance at new stores for driving net sales during the third quarter.

The company’s net sales increased 10% to $1.06 billion, from $967.9 million. The increased was fueled primarily by a $53.2 million increase in sales related to new stores and stores previously opened that are not included in same-store sales, as well as a 3.9% increase in same-store sales.

The company also shrank its net loss to $7.4 million from $16.8 million during the quarter, compared to the prior-year quarter.

Walldorf, Germany – SAP is releasing the new InfiniteInsight solution. Based on patented automation technology from KXEN, an SAP company, the solution is designed to provide businesses the ability to deploy predictive analytics across the enterprise.

Capabilities of SAP InfiniteInsight include analytical data sets for predictive modeling, automated modeling, optimized scoring equations, and factory capability for model refreshes as needed.