Business Analytics

The Department of Labor's (DOL) proposed overtime regulations are one step closer to becoming a reality for the American workforce. On March 14, 2016, the DOL submitted their final version of the regulations to the White House's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, signifying the last step in the regulation becoming law.

The employees who once greeted shoppers with a friendly “Welcome to Walmart” are making a comeback.

Walmart is reviving and updating its door-greeter program in an effort to improve customer service and also deter shoplifting.

The greeters were the invention of company founder Sam Walton, who saw them as a way to put a friendly face on the chain’s large stores. But in recent years, most of the employees who served as greeters were moved to other parts of the store.

Retailers who can get consumers to generate social and online content about them have a decided competitive edge.

According to the new “CGC Index” from social marketing technology provider Bazaarvoice, consumer-generated content (CGC), or digital content that people create about a product or service they have experienced, used, purchased, or considered, can have a significant impact on retailer performance.

East Coast Wings & Grill’s ambitious growth plans are poised to benefit from a data-driven approach to site selection made possible by the Buxton Analytics Platform.

The casual dining chain currently has 31 locations and has signed agreements to add 80 new restaurants across the country within the next five years. To ensure those restaurants are in the optimal locations, East Coast Wings & Grill partnered with customer analytics firm Buxton.

SuperValu Inc. on Tuesday reported fiscal fourth-quarter profit that beat expectations. But in a setback to plans to spin-off its deep-discount banner, same-store sales fell 2.2% at Save-A-Lot.

SuperValu earnings in the quarter increased to $52 million, or 20 cents a share, up from $39 million, or 14 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding debt refinancing, store closures and expenses related to the potential Save-A-Lot spinoff, adjusted per-share earnings rose to 23 cents.

Brentwood, Tennessee-based rural lifestyle chain Tractor Supply Company saw net income, net sales and same-store sales all rise in the first quarter of fiscal 2016, compared to the prior-year period.

Net income increased 17% to $67.7 million from $58 million, despite a 10% increase in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses to $386.2 million from $351.8 million. Higher gross profit and pretax income helped boost net income.

One key area of the supply chain is an area of concern for almost three-quarters of North American retailers.
 

One key area of the supply chain is an area of concern for almost three-quarters of North American retailers.

Regency Centers, in partnership with SoCore Energy and several of its retail partners, is outfitting two of its shopping centers in California with solar photovoltaic systems.

Regency announced the installation of over 750 KW of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems at Persimmon Place, in Dublin, and East Washington Place in Petaluma. Combined, the systems include approximately 2,500 modules and are expected to produce over 1,200,000 kilowatt hours of clean and renewable electricity each year.

Pier 1 shrank its store base and e-commerce penetration reached record levels during the company’s fourth quarter, a period in which profitability was marred by promotions, markdowns and supply chain issues.