Business Intelligence (BI)

WalmartLabs’ newest project is giving comrades and competitors alike, a peek into its open-source software.   The retail behemoth has migrated its online platform to a React-based application platform over the last year, one that was built in-house by WalmartLabs. Now Walmart’s innovation division is open-sourcing this platform, reported TechCrunch.  

With the holidays right around the corner, retailers are already setting up for the biggest shopping season of the year. This year, retail revenue for the holidays is expected to surpass $1 trillion, compared to last year’s total of $626.1 billion.   One of the many holiday preparations brands are making to deal with this influx is bulking up in-store resources. At least 700,000 short-term retail jobs are assumed to be added across the U.S. this holiday season, helping brands fill gaps in-stores and on the back-end.  

Aldi’s sustainability efforts are gaining recognition.   The grocer’s sustainable distribution center and regional headquarters in Moreno Valley, Calif., have earned LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Working alongside Graycor Construction Company, Aldi improved the design and materials used in the development of both buildings.   

According to eMarketer’s holiday sales preview forecast, ecommerce will surpass 10% of total U.S. holiday retail sales for the first time this year.    Total retail sales will increase 3.3% over the same period last year, to $884.50 billion, according to the report.   Holiday retail ecommerce sales will jump to $94.71 billion, representing 10.7% of total holiday retail sales.  

It’s sad, but true: companies are still taking a “don’t ask, don’t tell” stance when it comes to owning up to data breaches.   

After keeping mum about a potential far-reaching data breach, Yahoo has finally come clean.   The search engine company confirmed today that account information for approximately 500 million users was stolen from the company’s network in late 2014.  

This year, Hanukkah and Christmas Eve both fall on the last Saturday before Christmas, dubbed Super Saturday, which is likely to have a dramatic impact on traffic on that day.   

While much emphasis is placed on optimizing the front-of-the-house retail experience, improving back-of-the-house operations can also help retailers better meet customers’ evolving expectations – and intelligent lighting systems may be a key to improving those operations.    

Omnichannel success depends on the ability to scale operations to keep up with consumer demand.  

It’s 12,000 stores and counting for Dunkin’ Donuts.   The chain on Tuesday opened its 12,000th restaurant worldwide, in Riverside, California. The new location is part of Dunkin’s strategic westward expansion.    It plans to open more than 30 new restaurants in California this year with plans for about 300 new locations total to be developed in the state over the coming years.