Data & Analytics

Relatively slow supply chains are hindering department stores’ ability to compete effectively in today’s retail market.     

The chip card (EMV) era has arrived with the promise that data in retail environments will be better protected. Cardholders will have much greater security at the point of sale with their own card data. But, while it will be much more difficult for thieves to steal card data at the point of swipe, the hackers are still hacking and data is still being lost – almost daily.  

Nordstrom’s longtime CFO is stepping down.    Nordstrom announced that executive VP and CFO Mike Koppel has decided to retire from the company in spring 2017. Koppel will remain in his role until then to support the search for a new CFO and assist with his successor's transition.    Koppel joined Nordstrom in 1999 and has been the company's finance head since 2001.  

It doesn’t matter whether shoppers are buying a carton of milk or couture — a memorable in-store shopping experience is what drives loyalty. With a keen eye on personalization and in-store digital solutions, mere store visits can be transformed into sought-after “experiences.”  

Alibaba’s co-founder has a solution to ward off harmful cyber-attacks across China.   The online platform’s co-founder Jack Ma proposed that the nation’s top security bureau use big data to prevent crime — an announcement that endorses China’s budding efforts to build an unparalleled online surveillance system, according to Bloomberg.  

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American consumers will generate an accelerating 4.1% year-over-year increase in 2016 holiday sales, well exceeding 2015’s tepid 3.6% growth.  

My family – and many other consumers – have already started planning for the holidays. With Deloitte projecting a 4% increase in holiday sales over last year's shopping season, it’s critical that you have the workforce in place to address this opportunity.  

Staples is getting into the licensing game as a means of expanding its brand. It’s first target — document storage.  

Brands and retailers are not doing a good job in keeping up with consumer expectations regarding mobile.