Data & Analytics

Brixmor buys grocery-anchored center in Ann Arbor
Brixmor Property Group has purchased Arborland Center, a 404,000-sq.-ft. center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for $102 million. The center is anchored by Kroger and Nordstrom Rack and is situated between the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University.
CBRE staffs up its Bay Area office
CBRE made known its intent to make an aggressive push in San Francisco with its December hire of Matt Kircher, a veteran of Terranomics with more than 20 years of leasing experience in Northern California. This week CBRE filled out the new director of leasing’s executive staff. Joining Kircher are first vice presidents Jessica Birmingham, Annie Prupas, and Katie Singer; vice president Drew Greenspan; associate broker Meaghan Haley; senior GIS specialist Gary Palubicki; and client services coordinator Andrea Chavez.

Study shows influence of online on apparel sales

Changing consumer needs and an evolving retail marketplace contributed the U.S. apparel industry’s overall sales performance in 2016. Specifically, apparel dollar sales across women, men, and children grew by 3% last year, reaching $218.7 billion, according to the NPD Group.
Report: New robot controlled by user’s brain

The newest robots like the way their controllers think. Rather than relying on touch screens and artificial intelligence, a new “droid” is controlled by a user’s brain responses, according to ReCode.
Craft supply retailer’s online classes will soon be in session

The Michaels Companies is making a move to further inspire its hobbyists online. A new partnership with online destination Craftsy is giving Michaels’ shoppers access to on-demand classes. Specifically, Michaels will leverage Craftsy's growing video library of more than 1,300 on-demand lessons from expert instructors sharing their crafting experiences.
Making the Case for Strategic Liquidation Planning

Every company has liquidation inventory: returned, excess, obsolete or damaged merchandise that can’t go back on store shelves. Though most organizations would rather not admit they have a need for it, liquidation is the rule – not the exception – in retail.
Gen Z: Seven ways to win the next big consumer market and purchasing powerhouse

For good reason, retailers in recent years have sought to understand the shopping habits and preferences of the millennial generation. The oldest millennials, born in or after 1980, are now well into their thirties – and have certainly reached maturity as consumers. It’s now time to shift the focus and look at the next generation behind these millennials to see if they differ from their digital-savvy counterparts.
Discounter uses machine learning to stay 'on Target' with shopper demand

Target’s omnichannel journey may have started five years ago, but newly-emerging digital touchpoints continue to change the game. By leveraging machine learning to tap into customer demand, the mass merchandiser is defining which touchpoints are not only valuable, but influencing its shoppers’ paths-to-purchase. The initiative was discussed at the “Determining New Omni-KPIs To Hit Goals And Key Drivers” session at eTail West 2017, in Palm Springs, California, Feb. 27-March 2.
Report: Amazon’s Elements brand offers invite-only vitamins

Amazon is once again expanding its commitment to private label. The online giant’s Elements line, which was originally launched as a baby products line, quietly introduced a vitamins and supplements category on Feb. 21 — the first addition to the Elements brand in years, according to TechCrunch.
Four Keys to Cyber Security: Protecting restaurants and retailers from data breaches

Restaurants and retailers around the country continue to be plagued with the threat of cyber-attacks. Target, Eddie Bauer, Walmart, Wendy's, O'Charley's, are just a few of the major brands recently affected by data breaches, leaving millions of consumers' credit card information at risk.
Discounter in rapid EAS rollout

No retailer is immune to theft — even discounters. That’s why Dollar General has completed a speedy installation of an electronic article surveillance (EAS) solution from Checkpoint Systems chainwide. The discounter began its journey by testing EAS pedestals and deactivation systems in a limited number of stores to determine the benefits of how visible EAS tagging deters shoplifting and protects high-theft inventory.
Study: Majority of retailers are ready to invest in IoT

As the retail industry continues its digital transformation, chains need a new formula to best service its shoppers. To achieve this goal, 70% of retail decision makers are ready to make changes to adopt the Internet of Things (IoT), according to the 2017 Retail Vision Study, from Zebra Technologies. The study analyzes the technology trends shaping the future of the global retail industry and enhancing the shopping experience.