Data & Analytics

Chain Store Age will present a webinar on workplace violence — and how to create an emergency response plan to deal with violent incidents — on Thursday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. (EDT).   The webinar, sponsored by Center for Applied Learning at American Public University System, will present an overview of the different types of workplace violence, best practices for conducting “active shooter” response training for employees and recognizing signs of potential workplace violence and more.

Accruent, a leading global provider of real estate, facilities and asset management solutions, has acquired Verisae, a provider of cloud-based solutions that connect facilities and assets to the maintenance and service network through the Internet of Things (IoT).  

It’s sad, but true: companies are still taking a “don’t ask, don’t tell” stance when it comes to owning up to data breaches.   

If Yahoo’s data breach announcement yesterday is any indication, cyber-attacks are more prevalent than ever — and gaining momentum.  

CVS Health shoppers have to wait a few more days for curbside pickup.   On the eve of launching its new ‘CVS Curbside Pickup’ service, the chain postponed the launch date due to technical difficulties.    The drug chain was ready to kick-off its app-based curbside pickup service across is 4,000 locations nationwide on Thursday, Sept. 22. However, due to overuse during the company’s soft-launch, the app became sluggish and orders began piling up.   

Washington, D.C., is gaining a new grocery delivery service — one that is powered by rolling drones.   With municipal regulators approving the use of rolling delivery drones for urban deliveries, these bots will deliver groceries to mainly single- or double-occupant households, according to TechCrunch.com.  

The Finish Line Inc. on Friday posted Q2 sales that topped analysts expectations and announced a quicker-than-planned transition for its executive chairman   The athletic goods retailer reported a profit of $22.1 million, or 53 cents a share, in line with expectations, down from $25.9 million, or 57 cents a share, a year earlier.     Consolidated net sales for the quarter, ended Aug. 31, rose a 5.4% to $509.4 million, better than expected. Same-store store sales increased 5.1%, also topping forecasts.

As the battle between Walmart Canada and Visa over interchange rates rages on, Walmart Stores is making more strategic moves with Chase.    Walmart will now process credit and debit payments on ChaseNet, the bank's closed-loop network, across its 5,000-plus Walmart and Sam’s Club locations in the U.S., and on the Sam’s Club e-commerce site. Chase already processes payments for Walmart’s e-commerce channel.  

E-commerce may lose some appeal among shoppers this holiday season.   While some industry analysts are predicting more than 15% increases in e-commerce growth during the 2016 shopping season, NetElixir’s “2016 Holiday Outlook” report predicts that e-commerce growth may only hit 11%. This conservative gain is being blamed on earlier-than-usual promotions and purchasing of holiday gifts; retailers’ use of online marketplaces rather than exclusively selling directly on their sites, and the uncertain political environment.

Accenture, a global professional services company, has entered into an agreement to acquire Kurt Salmon, a global strategy consulting firm focused on the retail industry.   The acquisition will expand Accenture Strategy’s capabilities in delivering strategy consulting services to retailers and private equity firms in a world disrupted by digital.