Business Analytics

Helzberg Diamonds selects Information Builder’s BI platform
New York City -- Information Builders, a provider of business intelligence solutions, announced that Helzberg Diamonds has standardized on the WebFocus BI platform to provide advanced analysis and reporting capabilities to managers at 230 stores across the United States.
Reinvented Department Stores and Malls See Robust Rebound
Department stores and shopping centers malls are gaining market share for the first time in three decades, according to consultants Customer Growth Partners, and this month most will report their best annual earnings in years -- if not ever.

“Department stores from Macy’s to Nordstrom, and mall operators from Macerich to Simon, have used the recession not just to cut costs, but to reinvent themselves,” said Craig Johnson, president, Customer Growth Partners, a consulting and research firm serving retail and other consumer industries.

Children’s Place finance head to resign

Secaucus, N.J. -- The Children's Place Retail Stores said Friday that their executive VP finance and administration Susan Riley is leaving the company. The retailer said it will eliminate the role and look for a CFO.

The children's clothing company said VP finance John Taylor will serve as interim principal financial officer and Bernard McCracken, VP controller, will serve as interim principal accounting officer.
Whole Foods Q1 income jumps 79%, same-store sales up 9.1%

Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market’s first quarter net income surged 79% to $88.7 million, on an increase in customer visits and a rise in average transactions. The natural and organic foods grocer raised 2011 profit outlook on its strong results, which beat expectations.
Advance Auto Parts 4Q EPS surges

It was almost all good news for Advance Auto parts this week, as the company reported record fourth-quarter sales and profits. Fourth-quarter earnings per share increased 46% to 57 cents compared with 36 cents during the comparable period the prior year, and full-year profits rose to $3.95 from $2.83 the prior year.
Driving M&A Success in 2011
Analyst nervous about WMT’s Q4 comp

A lack of visibility into Walmart’s sales performance coupled with concerns about the pace of a U.S. sales recovery is contributing to some apprehension on Wall Street regarding the company’s fourth-quarter performance.
Looking to increase cash flow?

Cost segregation is a bargain tax strategy for shopping center owners

By Eli Loebenberg, [email protected]
Hibbett misses 4Q guidance

An otherwise exceptional year of sales and profits at Hibbett Sports was soiled somewhat late in the fourth quarter as consumer demand deteriorated, forcing the company to alert investors that it would come up short against earlier guidance. The 767-unit Hibbett chain continued to execute its strategy, but really bad weather in many of the company’s markets coupled with a slower-than-expected flow of tax refunds negatively affected results.
Readers Speak Out: Have we seen the beginning of more ground-up projects?

In the Jan. 27 edition of SiteTalk, we asked our readers to comment on the recent announcement that Cordish Cos. would build an upscale outlet center and entertainment district near Omaha, Neb., and if that development signaled the beginning of more ground-up projects. This is what one reader had to say:

Helzberg Diamonds selects Information Builder’s BI platform

Reinvented Department Stores and Malls See Robust Rebound

Children’s Place finance head to resign

Whole Foods Q1 income jumps 79%, same-store sales up 9.1%

Advance Auto Parts 4Q EPS surges

Driving M&A Success in 2011

Analyst nervous about WMT’s Q4 comp

Looking to increase cash flow?

Hibbett misses 4Q guidance

Readers Speak Out: Have we seen the beginning of more ground-up projects?