Data & Analytics

Virtual reality is making its way to Canada — Lowe’s Canada, that is.   On the heels of Lowe’s “Holoroom How To” virtual reality-based DIY skills-training clinic debut in the chain’s Framingham, Massachusetts store last month, the concept is now available in Lowe’s Canada’s Burlington, Ontario location.  

Amazon has launched a new way for customers to shop its site without using a bank card or credit card.    Called Amazon Cash, the service allows consumers to add cash to their Amazon.com balance by showing a barcode at a participating brick-and-mortar store, with the cash then applied immediately to the consumer’s  online Amazon account.  Notably, Walmart already offers a similar type of service for customers without a credit or debit card, as does PayPal.   

Target Corp. is stepping up its inventory management.   The discount retailer is partnering with Avery Dennison to deploy radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to more than 1,600 stores. The deployment, described by the technology provider as the largest of its kind, will help Target  maximize inventory availability and deliver an enhanced shopper experience.   

Convenience stores are poised for another strong quarter.    A combination of low gas prices, strong consumer confidence and warmer weather is expected to continue the year’s already strong sales at convenience stores into the second quarter of 2017, according to the results of a survey of c-store owners conducted by NACS.   A full 80% of convenience retailers expect in-store sales to increase this summer compared to last year, and 57% expect their fuel sales to increase compared to last summer.

7-Eleven continues to reduce electricity use in its stores.   The company has signed an agreement with TXU Energy to purchase 100% Texas wind energy for all its Texas stores located in competitive energy markets.    The 96-month wind energy agreement, which impacts 425 stores, starts June 1, 2018, and is expected to reduce 7-Eleven's carbon footprint by 6.7% while providing significant operating expense savings.  

  A just-released analysis of the U.S. retail sector offers positive news for an industry that has been subject to some gloomy assessments in recent times.   Despite the rash of recent Chapter 11 filings and store closings, the U.S. retail sector as a whole remains incredibly strong and shows no signs of slowing down, according to a report by business intelligence firm Creditsafe USA.  

Officials in New Rochelle, New York, want the right kind of retail partners for an aggressive redevelopment of its downtown, and it’s counting on big data to ferret them out.

The town has engaged Fort Worth-based Buxton to employ its Scout real estate analytics platform to identify restaurants and stores that will best synch with the dining and shopping habits of its residents.

Rent-A-Center is taking another step toward repositioning the company for profitability.   The furniture retailer’s Acceptance Now division is terminating its referral agreement with Conn’s Appliances. These accounts consistently underperformed compared to the rest of its ANow portfolio in terms of delinquencies, losses and product returns.   

Sephora is taking experiential retail to a new level in New York City.   The beauty retailer has remodeled two of its high-profile Manhattan locations to its new “Beauty Tip” (Teach, Inspire, Play) store format. The locations include Sephora’s 11,300-sq.-ft. store on 34th Street, its largest store in North American, as well as a Fifth Avenue location.