Data & Analytics

Rent the Runway, a disruptor in traditional formal wear category, is now a leader in the paid search advertising category.  

The United Kingdom is preparing for Amazon’s newest technology hub — a lab that will focus on innovations from artificial intelligence to machine learning.   The online giant plans to open a new 60,000 sq. ft. development center in Cambridge this fall. The facility will have the capacity to employ more than 400 associates, including machine learning scientists, knowledge engineers, data scientists, mathematical modelers, speech scientists and software engineers.  

Look for Martha Stewart to appear on the QVC channel.   Sequential Brands Group announced a multi-year agreement with QVC for Sequential’s Martha Stewart brand. Under the agreement, QVC will launch several categories for the brand, including skincare, fashion apparel, and food and beverage.  

Despite retailer efforts to deliver information, store employees still struggle to access the information needed to complete tasks.    In fact, 75% of decision makers said their employees frequently ask about procedures that are documented, and 73% indicated that critical information is scattered across many disparate locations.  

Even in a digital age, consumers still enjoy shopping in stores — if the shopping experience meets their expectations. One of the biggest turnoffs: long lines.    That’s according to a new study from payments company Adyen, which revealed when a “preferred” shopping experience is implemented — whether it be changing how someone checks out or how they interact with sales associates — 63% of people claim they will shop more.  

Staples Australia and New Zealand is refreshing its pricing strategy.   Staples Australia and New Zealand completes more than 80,000 deliveries daily for consumers and small businesses under 20 employees. However, the chain relied on a legacy-based monitoring tool to establish pricing metrics. To remain competitive in an increasingly omnichannel landscape — especially among business customers — the company was ready to revamp its pricing efforts.   

New product introduction volume continues to increase. Lilly Pulitzer’s analytics platform helps hone in on the winners.   In an omnichannel world, customer satisfaction is key, which means merchandise must be available when shoppers want it. By extending its partnership with First Insight, Lilly Pulitzer will continue to use predictive analytics to make faster and more accurate design, buying and pricing decisions, and gain the insight needed to mitigate risks associated with new product introductions.  

Mobile ads and solid user growth across its suite of apps contributed to a strong first quarter for Facebook.   For the quarter ended March 31, revenue rose 49% to $8.03 billion, from $5.38 billion in the same period a year earlier. This surpassed analyst predictions of $7.83 billion. Based on this quarter’s earnings, Facebook has exceeded analyst expectations for eight straight quarters.   

Knowing that personalization separates retail leaders from the crowd, Brooks Brothers made it a priority to modernize its iconic tailoring business.  

Amazon is making new moves to support its expanding business in India.   Specifically, the online giant is adding seven new warehouses — a move that will provide employment to about 4,000 people, according to The Times of India.   Further, the company is planning to have 41 warehouses or fulfillment centers open by the end of June this year, the report said.