Data & Analytics

Amazon lends more than $3 billion to third-party sellers
Amazon’s lending program has hit epic proportions, with one-third of loans being granted in the last year, alone. The online giant’s Amazon Lending program has surpassed $3 billion in loans to small businesses since the service launched in 2011. Specifically, Amazon has lent more than $1 billion to small businesses in the last 12 months, and more than 20,000 small businesses have received a loan from Amazon.
Study: Sales associates not well-equipped to perform job
Digital retailing is intensifying, yet retail associates still don’t have the technology they need to serve customers when they visit in-store. That's according to “The 2017 Retail Associate Technology Study,” from Salesfloor. The report, which surveyed 254 North American retail associates across a variety of product categories, compensation models and store sizes, explores the connection between store-level employees and the technology they use to serve customers.

Digital directory keeps Mall of America traffic moving

Traffic is good at the Mall of America. Arguably Minnesota’s biggest tourist attraction, the 5.5 million-sq.-ft. theme-park-cum-shopping center packs in some 40 million visitors a year. The big challenge for owner Triple Five is how to keep that traffic moving, experiencing, and spending instead of seeking out directions.
Department store giant announces big job cuts as part of major restructuring

Hudson's Bay Co., whose banners include Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor, has lowered the ax.
Industry Commentary: Nordstrom

Greg Portell, lead partner in the retail practice of A.T. Kearney, a global strategy and management consulting firm, answers a few questions regarding the news that Nordstrom may go private. What does this move mean for Nordstrom — how might it play out?
Specialty apparel retailer Q1 sales up 22%

Duluth Trading Company continues to grow its sales and store footprint. The retailer of men’s and women’s workwear, casual clothing, and accessories reported that net sales increased 21.9% to $83.7 million in the quarter ended April 30, up from $68.6 million in the prior-year first quarter. It was the company's 29th consecutive quarter of increased net sales year-over-year.
The top emerging global retail markets are....

India tops an annual list of the 30 top developing countries for retail investment, pushing China, which took the No. 1 spot for the past several years, into second place.
Study: Shoppers drawn to smart devices stay abreast of security

A majority of Americans want to use connected devices to make purchases, yet they are keeping a keen eye on securing personal data.
UPS: International online shopping is on the rise

More U.S. online shoppers are buying items from international retailers. To compete against these lower prices, U.S brands to step up personalization efforts.
More store closings in the works at Sears

As Sears Holdings continues to struggle, the chain has once again updated is restructuring plan. The embattled retailer has added 72 more stores to its list of upcoming closures. This is in addition to more than 180 closings that it already an-nounced, according to Business Insider.
Fast-growing home decor chain raises outlook

At Home reported a strong first quarter, helped by the addition of 23 new stores the chain opened in the past 12 months — and there are more on the way.
Harris: Retailers take top spots in social responsibility poll

Consumers rank Wegmans, Publix Super Markets, and Amazon.com as the top three companies when it comes to corporate social responsibility efforts.