Data & Analytics

Ascena Retail Group reported a profit in its first quarter on lower costs, but it missed Wall Street expectations.    The company, whose banners include Ann Taylor, Loft, Lane Bryant, Dress Barn and more, reported net income of $14 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, in the first quarter, compared to a net loss of $18 million last year, or $0.10 per diluted share. Ascena’s income for the first quarter reflected lower purchase accounting adjustments and acquisition and integration costs.   

For any retailer that ever wanted to create a “mobile showcase” on Pinterest, now is your chance.  

Mobile commerce drove healthy bottom lines for retailers industry-wide during Cyber Week, and PayPal witnessed the experience first-hand.   The payment processor said one-third of all payment volume on its network during both Thanksgiving Day and on Black Friday occurred on mobile devices, according to Tech Crunch.  

Visa’s new acquisition promises consumers more digital security when making payments on their laptop, mobile app, or connected device.   Visa is acquiring e-commerce payment authentication provider CardinalCommerce, a move that will enable the card issuer to deliver shoppers more secure, seamless digital payments, and help accelerate digital commerce. While Visa did not disclose financial terms of the transaction, the deal is expected to close in Visa’s second fiscal quarter 2017.  

Winter is coming — and not just to “Game of Thrones.”     A blast of cold air will move from the West Coast and across North America next week (Dec. 5-11), fueling demand for outerwear, gloves, hats, sweaters, heaters, and blankets, according to weather analytics company Planalytics.  

One of many things that reaches a frenetic pace during the holiday season is social media activity, with brands ramping up promotions, suggestions and other communication to their followers. Aside from the fact that 23% of the world’s population — yes, 1.7 billion people — visit their Facebook profiles every month, the brands with the best social media presence are reaching upward of 40 million consumers.   

J.C. Penney is often associated with an older shopper demographic. But its comeback is being fueled, at least partially, by a surprising group.    Millennial moms now account for 45% of Penney's revenue, CNBC reported, and the group is also driving much of the growth in the company's sales and customer count.   

Kroger Co. lowered the higher end of its full-year adjusted profit forecast amid a “difficult” operating environment, marked by falling food prices and increased competition.    The nation’s largest grocery store operator reported net earnings of $391 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, and identical supermarket sales growth, without fuel, of 0.1% in the third quarter, which ended on Nov. 5. Net earnings in the same period last year were $428 million, or $0.43 per diluted share.  

Mall of America is debuting new wayfinding kiosks that expand the concept of the typical mall directory.         The mall recently installed six interactive wayfinding kiosks, from Express Image, that provide shoppers with customized assistance in as little as 10-20 seconds.   

Both Black Friday and Cyber Monday broke sales records this year, and early promotions could be a key contributor to this success.   Out of more than 400 major retailers that offered promotions via RetailMeNot, 70% started promoting Black Friday deals before Thanksgiving, the savings destination reported in the “RetailMeNot Promotions Index.” The study, which was conducted between Nov. 24 and Nov. 28, is based on responses from 1,500 Americans aged 18 and over.