Business Intelligence (BI)

Lowe's is making another round of job cuts.   The home improvement chain is laying off some 125 information technology workers and many of the jobs to India, The Charlotte Observer reported. Lowe’s currently employs approximately 1,000 people in information and technology and analytics in Bangalore, India.   

Weis Markets knows the key to driving loyalty is to deliver value.   In a move that will improve its marketing and promotions operations, the regional grocer has partnered with dunnhumby and Aptaris. By integrating an enterprise promotional planning, price optimization, modeling and forecasting system, Weis is one step closer to increasing sales, improving customer loyalty and building a more profitable and competitive market position.  

Staples named a new technology chief who is expected to step up the company’s IT initiatives.  

Macy’s named two key leaders in a move to bolster the company’s digital initiatives.   The department store chain named Yasir Anwar as its executive VP and CTO, effective immediately. In this new role, Anwar will oversee all technology functions for Macy’s, including expanding the company’s technological capabilities and further driving mobile and digital growth.  

Yes, it’s official. The robotics revolution is coming to retail, as it is in many industries. I know robots roaming store aisles probably still sounds like something from “Back to the Future,” however, within a decade, I’m confident they will be such a normal part of the store experience we will find it hard to imagine life without them.  

Despite a challenging retail landscape, J.Jill’s same-store sales growth and profits not only climbed, but topped analyst expectations.   For the first quarter ended April 29, the mall-based women’s specialty chain’s overall revenue increased 12.5% to $166.1 million — a jump from $147.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. This also beat analyst estimates at $162 million.  

BJ's Wholesale Club has tapped two experienced retailers to drive its digital innovation and omnichannel strategy.    BJ's announced that Scott Kessler has been named executive VP, CIO, effective immediately. He succeeds Peter Amalfi, who plans to retire later this year.  

Wary about business conditions and jobs, consumer confidence dipped a bit further in May. But consumer still remain optimistic on the whole about the economy.     The Conference Board said Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence Index fell to 117.9 in May, from a revised 119.4 in April. The index hit 124.9 in March, its highest mark in 16 years.  

Footwear retailer DSW Inc. fell short on earnings in its first quarter, even as it topped sales estimates.   Net income fell to $23 million, or 28 cents per share, below analyst expectations, from $30.0 million, or 36 cents a share, in the year-ago period. The company incurred pre-tax charges of $4.1 million, related to its acquisition of Ebuys, restructuring costs and foreign exchange loss assumed in the process of pre-funding the upcoming Town Shoes acquisition.   

Soft Surroundings is making moves to create more customer-centric assortments.   The St. Louis-Missouri-based fashion retailer’s goal is to help customers maintain their unique sense of style without sacrificing comfort. This was becoming a challenge through its spreadsheet-based planning processes. With an eye on driving more customer-centric assortments across its growing chain, the company knew it was time for a change.