Business Intelligence (BI)

Tesco signs eight-year, global agreement with Microsoft
Reading, England -- Tesco has committed to the Microsoft platform in an eight year, world-wide agreement. The deal is designed to enable the U.K.-based retailer to improve productivity, decision-making, knowledge sharing and operational excellence across the 14 countries in which it currently operates.

The agreement will underpin Tesco’s strategic objectives of growing its international presence; expanding its non-food business; and offering a broad selection of retail services such as banking, online and mobile.
Winn-Dixie expects to cut FY loss
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Winn-Dixie Stores announced that it expects to report net sales of approximately $6.9 billion compared with $7 billion for the prior fiscal year (which included an extra week), reflecting a 0.1% decrease in identical-store sales. Net loss from continuing operations is expected to be approximately $30 million or 54 cents per diluted share, compared with net income from continuing operations of $37 million or 67 cents per diluted share for fiscal 2010.

Survey: Majority of e-business pros see mobile experience as priority

San Francisco -- Survey results released by online customer experience management software provider Tealeaf and mobile feedback solution-provider OpinionLab found that the majority of e-business and customer experience professionals feel that the mobile experience is as important as that of a fixed website.
PeopleMatter’s talent-management solution selected for 78 Applebee’s stores

Charleston, S.C. -- PeopleMatter, a talent management solution provider for the service industry, said that Apple Sauce, LLC, a major franchisee in the Applebee’s system, has selected the the PeopleMatter Platform for talent management to find, develop and manage talent. The solution will be used for more than 78 Applebee’s locations in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Florida.
Aerosoles implements Maple Lake’s assortment planning software

Markham, Ontario -- Maple Lake Ltd. said that Aerosoles has selected Maple Lake’s QuickAssortment software to refine and centralize the retailers’ merchandise, store and assortment planning activities. The retailer has already completed Phase I of the implementation process.
Kroger Co. to implement Oracle’s PLM solution

New York City -- The Kroger Co. has selected Oracle’s Agile Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) for Process to establish a platform for continually improving the customer experience. The supermarket operator will use the solution to integrate and streamline all aspects of product development, including managing specifications, suppliers, formulations, packaging and labeling, compliance, and quality.
Lord & Taylor makes EPA green list with wind power plans

New York City -- A Thursday report by Crain’s New York Business said that Lord & Taylor has signed a two-year contract with Green Mountain Energy Co. to provide the department store retailer with 100% of its electricity needs at two stores, including the Fifth Ave. flagship location.

The move has garnered the attention of the Environmental Protection Agency, which places Lord & Taylor, effective August, as No. 17 on the its Green Power Partnership list of Top 20 retailers embracing clean energy.
Walmart on Amazon alert as sales explode at online rival

Amazon.com generates about three times the number of unique visitors each month that Walmart.com does, according to online measurement firm comScore, and all that traffic is allowing Amazon.com to generate record sales.
Supervalu Q1 net income up 10%, results top estimates

Minneapolis -- Supervalu reported Tuesday that earnings for the first quarter rose 10% to $74 million, compared with $67 million in the year-ago period. The grocer cited effective cost-cutting for the strong performance, which topped Wall Street expectations.

The operator of Albertsons and Jewel-Osco supermarkets saw revenue fall 4% to $11.11 billion, just missing analysts’ expectations of $11.13 billion. Same-store sales dropped 3.9%.
Tesco stores to test free WiFi

London -- Britain’s largest retailer Tesco said Sunday it plans to pilot free WiFi Internet service in its stores, allowing customers to compare prices and read product reviews as they shop.

According to a Sunday report by the Financial Times, the supermarket retailer is currently testing the service in four stores, with plans to quickly roll it out after evaluating the pilot.

Tesco is thought to be the first big U.K. retailer to test free WiFi.

Tesco signs eight-year, global agreement with Microsoft

Winn-Dixie expects to cut FY loss

Survey: Majority of e-business pros see mobile experience as priority

PeopleMatter’s talent-management solution selected for 78 Applebee’s stores

Aerosoles implements Maple Lake’s assortment planning software

Kroger Co. to implement Oracle’s PLM solution

Lord & Taylor makes EPA green list with wind power plans

Walmart on Amazon alert as sales explode at online rival

Supervalu Q1 net income up 10%, results top estimates

Tesco stores to test free WiFi