Data & Analytics

New York -- The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index remained flat in July as improvements in real housing prices and labor markets offset weakness in other areas. The Index, which tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending, remained at 4.4 this month.  

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. reported that its second quarter profit dropped 13% to $611 million in the quarter ended Aug. 3, down from $704 million a year earlier, amid start-up costs related to its entry into Canada. Total company profits, excluding start-up costs related to Canada, increased 6.1%. Similar to other retailers, the chain issued a muted annual profit forecast as it deals with a still uncertain economy and cautious consumers.

New Orleans — Domino’ Pizza franchise operator in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, RPM Pizza, has debuted a new Domino’s store design on the West Bank of the Mississippi River in the New Orleans metropolitan area.

The new design includes a lobby, open-area viewing of food preparation and a lobby screen that tracks carryout orders electronically. In addition, chalkboards invite customers to leave feedback for store employees.

Dominos boasts more than 10,400 stores in more than 70 international markets.

New York -- Fairway Group Holdings Corp., parent company of Fairway Market, is the first supermarket in New York City to install technology to help customers who are deaf place their shopping orders.

The company said it has installed a hearing loop at its Broadway store's deli counter which works with an individual's telecoil-equipped hearing instrument or cochlear implant.

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples said Wednesday that its second quarter net income dropped 15% amid store closings, declining traffic and lower sales of computers, ink and toner. The retailer also cut its full-year earnings and revenue forecasts, citing the weaker-than-expected results.

Staples earned $102.5 million for the period ended Aug. 3, compared to $120.4 million last year.

Cincinnati — Phillips Edison-ARC Shopping Center REIT has acquired Paradise Crossing, a 67,470-sq.-ft. shopping center anchored by a Publix grocery store.

Located in Lithia Springs, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta, Paradise Crossing is 93.7% occupied. When combined with the Publix lease, 64% of the rents for the center derive from national tenants.

The acquisition brings the REIT’s portfolio to 50 grocery-anchored properties, with an aggregate portfolio purchase price of approximately $729.6 million.

Woonsocket, R.I. — CVS Caremark has opened a 150,000-sq.-ft. fulfillment center in Mt. Prospect, Ill. It will support the CVS Caremark Pharmacy Benefit Management book of business. The $67 million facility can fill 50 million prescriptions annually. Proprietary technology at the facility automates 90% of the dispensed prescriptions and 80% of the prescriptions packaged for mailing. On-site pharmacists visually check all of the prescriptions.

Lubbock, Texas -- The United Family, parent of United Supermarkets and several other grocery store banners, has launched a texting program designed to enhance shopping experiences of United Supermarkets, Market Street and Amigos guests. Shoppers who opt-in to the texting program will receive product information and savings opportunities they can use instantly.