Consumer Analytics

Every few years, a new term enters the retail IT industry lexicon and takes firm root, even though nobody can provide an actual, definitive meaning.

▲ Data breaches are on the rise: Mounting an attack on retail systems has become increasingly attractive to attackers because malware can be delivered at very low cost, according to Mark Bower, VP product management and solutions, Voltage Security, a Cupertino, California, provider of data-centric encryption and tokenization.

“So it becomes very attractive to attackers to try and steal credit card and personal data they can monetize very quickly,” he added.

As to the role of a financial chief, “the CFO has the responsibility to look at overall r

Starting with a washer and dryer, Whirlpool products will be getting smarter with the help of Nest’s learning thermostat. The appliance company plans to integrate some of its products with Nest’s thermostat.

A new toothbrush from Oral-B might make brushing less of a burden, and it's thanks to an app.

Digital receipts company flexReceipts has named Megan Licursi as its chief marketing officer.

In her new position, Licursi will oversee the company’s strategic vision and the implementation of its marketing approach. Previously, Licursi has helped national brands create and execute marketing programs, and will bring that to flexreceipts, which uses a software for clients to include promotions and social media links in electronic receipts they send to customers.

Washington, D.C. - A clear majority of Americans say social media has no effect at all on their purchasing decisions. According to a new Gallup poll, 62% in the U.S. say Facebook and Twitter, among other sites, do not have any influence on their decisions to purchase products.

Minnetonka, Minn. – Luggage Pros is launching a redesigned e-commerce site whose features include responsive design that allows the site to accurately and consistently size and scale its dimensions to fit the device from which it is being viewed. This enhancement allows Luggage Pros to provide its customers with tailored navigation and comprehensive product information.

Kahuna, a marketing automation company for mobile, is touting its new Conversion Campaigns as a “first-of-its-kind solution” that it says can translate consumer interest into “significant” mobile sales and revenue.

According to Kahuna, its customers, such as 1-800-Flowers and Karmaloop, have already experienced an 18 to 33% uplift in revenue from these mobile users thanks to Conversion Campaigns.

Plano, Texas -- Reporting to Joel Mussat, executive VP and chief omnichannel officer, Rent-A-Center, Ian Cohen has been charged with working cross-functionally to create a seamless approach to the consumer experience across a variety of shopping channels. His responsibilities include the design, development, and implementation of a digital-commerce solution that ensures customer demands are met.

New York – Online is the leading channel for consumers to perform both back-to-school and back-to-college shopping. According to a study from e-commerce marketing technology provider HookLogic and polling company Qriously, 35% of consumers shop for back-to-school suppliers online, while 34% shop in-store and 33% shop both channels (some totals equal more than 100% due to rounding).