Data & Analytics

Amazon shutting down parent company of diapers.com
Amazon is getting is shutting down one of its units after it failed to turn a profit. The company pulling the plug on Quidsi, parent company of diapers.com, soap.com and several other shopping sites, which it purchased in 2010. The news was first reported by Bloomberg.
Croatian grocer enhances supplier collaboration
A growing supermarket retailer in the Adriatic region has deployed a solution to better manage its disparate inventory levels. Konzum, part of the 2,000-store Agrokor group with 2,000 stores in the Adriatic region, has been expanding its footprint through accelerated acquisitions have accelerated Konzum’s growth. But the strategy has created a diversified store network, each with different store layouts and inventories. These issues also force the grocery chain to manage disparate inventory files, and deal with order exceptions.

FICO: Debit card compromises skyrocketed in 2016

Payment card theft continue to wreak havoc on retailers and shoppers, alike. In fact, the number of debit cards compromised at United States-based ATMs and merchants rose 70% in 2016, while the number of hacked card readers at U.S. ATMs, restaurants and merchants rose 30% — the highest level in the history of the FICO Card Alert Service, which monitors hundreds of thousands of ATMs and other readers in the U.S.
Survey: Unclean restrooms can have negative impact on business

Retailers looking for a competitive advantage in these competitive times should consider their restrooms.
Extreme value retailer continues to expand

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings Inc. is on track for store growth in 2017. The retailer, which beat the Street in the fourth quarter, ended the year with a total of 234 stores in 19 states, an increase of 15.3% year over year. It expects to open 33 to 35 stores in 2017, with no planned closures. Ollie’s reported fiscal fourth-quarter net income increased 52% to $24.4 million, surpassing Wall Street expectations.
Report: Domino’s readies for robot deliveries in Germany

The pizza chain is getting ready to introduce the newest member of its delivery team. Through its partnership with Starship Technologies, Domino’s will begin using wheeled robots to deliver pizza in Hamburg, Germany. The first deliveries could begin in the next two months, according to ReCode.
Report: Traffic declines at Whole Foods Market 'staggering'

The nation’s largest supermarket retailer is stealing customers from Whole Foods Market. That’s according to a report by Cincinnati Business Courier, which cites a new study by Barclays investment analyst Karen Short. Whole Foods has lost up to 14 million customers during the past six quarters, according Short.
Study: Personalization is top digital priority

Personalization is no longer just about marketing to demographic groups, customer segments or even personas. Rather, the concept has evolved into a critical way for retailers to differentiate their brand to compete against companies like Amazon, according to “BRP Special Report: Personalizing the Customer Experience,” a study from Boston Retail Partners.
Consumer confidence bumps up to a 16-year high

Having reached a 15-year peak on February, consumer confidence reached a new peak in March, now standing at its highest level in 16 years. The index's current reading is 125.6, up from 116.1 in February. “Consumer confidence increased sharply in March to its highest level since December 2000 (Index, 128.6),” said Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at The Conference Board.
Value home décor retailer sees potential for major store expansion

When it comes to expanding its store portfolio, At Home has barely gotten started. Reporting strong results for the fourth quarter and full year, the home décor retailer also said it plans to open 25 new stores this year, with the potential for almost 500 more locations over the long term.
Amazon debuts grocery pick-up concept
Colliers names North Jersey leasing director

Colliers International has announced the hiring of Wayne L. Kasbar as managing director in its Parsippany, New Jersey, office. He will focus on the retail sector. Kasbar comes to Colliers from Silbert Realty & Management Company, where he oversaw the brokerage team covering New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Prior to that, he spent five years at Trammel Crow, now part of CBRE, leaving there as VP of brokerage services.