Consumer Analytics

Cincinnati –- Millennial consumers age 18-29 seek sessions with experts to assist the purchase process. According to U.S. consumer survey research conducted by LoyaltyOne in September 2014, 84% of Millennials said that being able to redeem rewards/loyalty program points for a session or consultation with a chef or nutritionist would motivate them to shop more with that grocer.  

Boston –- Between April and June of 2014, the retail sector led all industries in data breaches with 145 million records, or 83% of the total records compromised, costing retailers $195 per record apprehended. In response, Boston Retail Partners has released recommendations for data security best practices.    The recommendations include:  

Bay Shore, N.Y. -- MIA Concessions has deployed advanged digital signage in Miami International Airport’s (MIA)) South Terminal in the form of bilingual digital passenger assistants.   The technology, from Tensator, provides passengers with high-tech virtual shopping consultants and also serves as an advertising vehicle for shops and restaurants to reach high multi-lingual air travelers to Miami.  

New York -- Total Halloween sales are expected to grow 3% to total $7.29 billion in 2014, due to improving economic conditions and employment levels. According to a new study from market research firm IBISWorld Inc., costume sales are expected to rise 6% to $2.76 billion, spurred by more theme parties and social media photo sharing.  

Oklahoma City, Okla. –- With plans to open 28 stores by the end of 2014, 30 or more new stores during 2015 and 50-plus stores every year thereafter, the 300-plus-unit convenience and fuel chain Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores needs a robust platform. As Love’s executives explained during a session at the recent SAP Retail Forum in New York, the retailer is turning to SAP to provide that platform.  

Plug and Play brings together retailers and start-ups who offer specific technology and expertise that can relieve merchants’ pain points. Customer Disruption highlights one of those start-ups in each issue with a brief Q&A. This issue, the spotlight is on Aahlada Chennupati, CEO and co-founder of ProductPlay.   1) What does your company do?  

A delayed start to the shopping season is causing consumers to postpone their holiday purchases until Thanksgiving weekend, according to the 2014 Holiday Purchase Intentions Survey from global information company The NPD Group.

New York -- REI has launched a news mobile app that allows users to check snow conditions at popular ski destinations.   The recently introduced iPad app offers an optimized shopping and product research experience and gives users access to a broad and inspiring product selection of the top brands in camping, backpacking, cycling, climbing, skiing, fitness and more.   

Austin, Texas –- Retailers are in agreement about using competitive data for pricing. According to a new survey of more than 100 retailers by merchandise optimization provider Revionics Inc., 100% of respondents integrate some form of competitive data into their pricing.
 

Burlington, Mass. -- Demandware Inc., a provider of enterprise cloud commerce solutions, has acquired CQuotient, a cloud personalization provider. The acquisition of CQuotient will accelerate Demandware’s plans to turn the data created across its community of retail brands into actionable insights for business optimization and differentiated consumer shopping experiences.