Data & Analytics

Off-pricers in big expansion push
Forget about online. The biggest threat to Macy’s and other department store retailers is coming from bricks-and-mortar. Speaking at a recent conference in New York City, Macy's CFO Karen Hoguet said off-price retailers have proven a bigger long-term challenge to the company than the Internet, CNBC reported.
DHL expands its breadth to accommodate omnichannel retailers
DHL is helping high-volume retailers speed up “the last mile” of their omnichannel shopping experience. DHL eCommerce, a division of logistics company Deutsche Post DHL Group, is expanding the functionality of its fulfillment centers in Columbus, Ohio, and Riverside, California. Specifically, the logistics company is investing in storage and mechanization to support the growing needs of its U.S.-based e-commerce retail partners that ship between 300 and 15,000 orders per day. They will also manage both B2C and B2B transactions.

Home decor brand bolsters offering through predictive analytics

With increased competition in the home furnishings category heats up, Pier 1 Imports wants to feature better assortments and pricing decisions to attract and retain shoppers. The retailer is adopting a new predictive analytics solution from First Insight, which is designed to help it make quicker and more accurate design, buying and pricing decisions, as well as evaluate opportunities for new product launches.
Study: More than half of U.S. shoppers haven’t tried BOPIS

More omnichannel retailers offer buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS) services to shorten their delivery windows. Yet, 60% of shoppers have yet to take advantage of the service. That’s according to a new report, “Buy Online, Pick-up In-Store” from ChargeItSpot, which was based on responses from over 2,074 shoppers at 20 malls across the country.
Home furnishings giant plugs in another fuel cell system

Ikea continues to grow its U.S. renewable energy portfolio, with a goal of being energy independent by 2020. The retailer has completed installation of its fifth biogas-powered fuel cell system in California – and in the country – at its East Palo Alto location in the San Francisco Bay area.
Report: Majority of shoppers feel they ‘know more’ than store associates

Brick-and-mortar retailers are fighting harder than ever to remain relevant among digitally driven shoppers. This is not an easy task as 83% of shoppers believe they're more knowledgeable than retail store associates — often due to the online research they conduct before entering a store, according to a new survey from Tulip Retail.
Dollar General beats Street; to open 1,000 stores and hike store managers pay

Dollar General on Thursday reported better-than-expected fourth quarter sales and earnings and said it planned to raise compensation and increase training for store managers. The discounter also said it plans to open approximately 1,000 stores and remodel or relocate 900 existing stores in fiscal 2017.
The Science Behind Successful Online Gifting & What To Avoid To Protect Your Brand

People love to give gifts.
Survey: Mobile wallet adoption has flatlined

Mobile wallet usage in the United States remains small, and shows no signs of increasing anytime soon. This was according to “PYMNTS/InfoScout Mobile Payment Adoption,” a new report from PYMNTS.com. The survey, which was conducted in March 2017 among more than 7,655 consumers, said less than one in 20 consumers who have one of the main mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Sam-sung Pay, and Android Pay) use it regularly.
Williams-Sonoma Q4 profit tops Street

Williams Sonoma Inc. on Wednesday reported adjusted fourth-quarter earnings above expectations and said its board of directors authorized a dividend increase. In a separate announcement, the company said Sandra Stangl, president of its Pottery Barn brands, will resign from the company March 31. http://www.chainstoreage.com/article/leadership-changes-home-furnishings-retailer
Specialty outdoor retailer’s sales — and donations — surge

The nation’s largest consumer co-op reported a solid year amid ongoing sustainability achievements. REI reported annual revenues of $2.56 billion in 2016, up 5.5% from $2.42 billion in 2015. Same-store sales, which include direct to consumer sales, rose nearly 4% and digital sales grew by nearly 18%.
Three ways Amazon Go’s automation will impact the retail industry

Could “paper or plastic?” become a question of the past? In early December, Amazon opened its checkout-free store concept, Amazon Go, in Seattle. Initially open only to employees, the store is expected to open to the public early this year. With the e-commerce giant’s “just walk out” technology, customers are able to swipe their app when they enter, pick up items they want off the shelves, and exit without cash registers or lines.