Business Intelligence (BI)

Costco is increasing the price of its membership fees, giving Sam’s Club the green light to follow suit, although such a move seems unlikely at this time. Why? Because Sam’s Club is enjoying favorable sales momentum and upgrade activity that might be jeopardized if members were asked to pay more.

Roseville, Calif. -- Retail life cycle price optimization solution-provider Revionics said Wednesday that Gander Mountain Co. has selected the Revionics Price Optimization solution, which provides both base price management and price optimization.

The companies have entered into a two-year agreement. Revionics will help deploy these solutions throughout Gander Mountain's retail stores ensuring optimal monitoring, management and results.

Springfield, N.J. -- Village Super Market, which operates 28 supermarkets under the Shop Rite name in the Northeast, reported Thursday that net income for the fourth quarter was $8.8 million, an increase of 14% after backing out the extra week in last year’s fourth quarter.

Without the adjustment, net income fell from $8.9 million a year earlier.

Revenue rose nearly 1% to $345 million from $342.7 million. After excluding the extra week, revenue increased nearly 8%. Same-store sales rose nearly 8% excluding the extra week.

Raleigh, N.C. -- Economic weakness and low consumer confidence, combined with vendor capacity/reliability, are the top threats to business success this peak season, according to a recent Peak Season Trends and Strategies Survey Report by Tompkins Supply Chain Consortium.

New York City -- Research results released Tuesday by American Express found that more than a third (38%) of small business owners believe that the U.S. is still in the throes of a recession.

According to the American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor, a semi-annual survey in its 10th year, concerns about the economy are weighing heavily on entrepreneurs. Twenty-seven percent say they do not plan to grow in the next six months (up from 21% in the spring) and just 77% describe themselves as glass-half-full optimists (down from 85% a year ago).

Indianapolis — The Finish Line, Inc. said Tuesday it has named Sally McKelvey as VP strategy for the Finish Line brand.

McKelvey previously served as senior director, operations financial planning and analysis, at 7-Eleven.

McKelvey is charged with leading the evaluation, development and implementation of strategic growth initiatives for the Finish Line brand. She will analyze, recommend and implement programs that will provide growth opportunities, increase operational productivity and enhance profitability for the company.

San Diego — Teradata announced Tuesday that Hallmark Cards Inc. has expanded its data warehouse environment with new enterprise data warehouse platforms, including new data warehouse appliances, as well as the latest Aprimo Relationship Manager application from Aprimo, a Teradata company.

The upgraded platforms and software tools were implemented while realizing a 30% reduction in total cost of ownership. Hallmark also added utilities for backup and recovery, as well as Teradata Viewpoint and Professional Services support.

Indianapolis -- Hhgregg has officially launched its new e-commerce website. The retailer’s key development partners for the new site include Rosetta, the implementation partner; IBM, the ecommerce platform provider, and Adobe for imaging, recommendations and site analytics.

The new site features enhanced functionality, delivers on the company’s “We Help” brand promise and brings hhgregg’s superior in-store experience online.

New features include:

Leawood, Kan. -- Epay, a division of electronic payments provider Euronet Worldwide, said Thursday it has forged an exclusive agreement to process prepaid mobile airtime transactions in the independent retail segment for Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile USA and Assurance Wireless.

These no-contract wireless brands are owned by Sprint.

Worcester, England -- A survey released Thursday by Postcode Anywhere revealed that online security concerns, long forms and enforced sign-up are the three things most likely to make consumers abandon online purchases.

One thousand U.K. consumers were asked to name the top three reasons they might abandon their shopping online. Security concerns topped the poll, with 50% of consumers rating the factor among their top turn-offs.