Data & Analytics

Guess swings to loss in Q1
Guess Inc. swung from profit to net loss in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, missing analyst estimates for both net earnings and revenues.

The apparel retailer reported a net loss of $25.2 million, compared to net earnings of $3.3 million the same quarter a year earlier. Restructuring charges, a negative tax impact, and currency fluctuations helped push the retailer into the red.
J. Crew narrows loss but sales still falling
J.Crew Group Inc. managed to narrow its loss in the first quarter even as it continued to struggle with sluggish sales.

The retailer’s net loss for the quarter totaled $8.4 million, significantly less than the net loss of $462.41 million from the first quarter of fiscal 2015. Reductions in cost of goods sold, selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses and impairment losses helped trim net loss.

Total revenues fell to $567.5 million from $581.8 million. Same-store sales dropped 7%.

June 2016 Weather Report

Temperatures in the East will be somewhat similar to last year while the West will trend cooler than last year. Rainfall will be greater across the Northwest, meanwhile across the Ohio Valley and interior Northeast, we may begin to see the start of a long-term drying trend.
Thieves target Walmart POS with skimmers

Criminals have reportedly been targeting some Walmart stores with credit card skimming devices illicitly placed on POS terminals.

According to the Krebs on Security blog, the skimmers are designed to overlay legitimate self-payment card readers manufactured by Ingenico and have been found at Walmart locations in Fredericksburg, Virginia and Fort Wright, Kentucky.
Whole Foods opens first 365 store in Los Angeles

After months of anticipation, the 365 by Whole Foods Market discount store format has made its debut in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Express misses on Q1 earnings, sales

Specialty apparel retailer Express Inc. did not reach Wall Street expectations with declining profit and flat sales in a generally sluggish first quarter of fiscal 2016.

Net income slipped 1% to $12.9 million from $13.1 million in the same quarter the previous fiscal year. Outlet- and IT-related expense growth helped drive down profit.

Net sales stayed essentially flat at $502.9 million, compared to $502.4 million a year earlier. Same-store sales fell 3%, including a 1% dip in e-commerce sales.
Chico’s names retail veteran as new corporate counsel

Chico's FAS Inc. has appointed Susan Lanigan as executive VP and general counsel.

Lanigan has 25 years of professional experience and more than 15 years of business experience in the retail industry, including serving as executive VP, general counsel of Dollar General Corp.
Disciplined and strategic: CSA’s fastest-growing acquirers

The 27th annual Chain Store Age survey of Fastest-Growing Acquirers features some familiar names, but a diversity of philosophies and experiences when it comes to driving long-term growth.
Tiffany doesn’t sparkle with Q1 misses; will open 11 stores

Tiffany & Co. missed Wall Street expectations for profit and revenue in a lackluster start to fiscal 2016, but still plans to open 11 new stores worldwide.

The retailer reported net earnings of $87 million during the first quarter, down 17% from $105 million the same period a year earlier. Lower gross profit and higher selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses drove the reduction in profit.
Walmart exec joins board of standards body

Cameron Geiger, senior VP, Walmart technology, has been appointed to the GS1 U.S. board of governors.

He will help guide the GS1 U.S. strategy for driving adoption and usage of GS1 standards within the retail industry. GS1 standards are used to uniquely identify products, services and locations globally.
CBRE research chief talks trends at RECon

There are so many cross-currents affecting the retail real estate industry right now that making sense off it all is a daunting challenge. Thankfully, Melina Cordero, head of retail research for the Americas at CBRE, was on hand at RECon to touch some of the mega-trends in this video.
Cabela’s aims for secure checkout

Specialty outdoor retailer Cabela’s Inc. is deploying POS hardware and software from Ingenico Group to make the final step of the in-store shopping process as safe and seamless as possible.

Sidney, Nebraska-based Cabela’s is using Ingenico ISC Touch 250 smart terminals at its 80-plus U.S. and Canadian stores. The POS stations offer a full range of upselling/cross-selling capabilities, such as the ability to display digital advertisements, videos and gift card promotions.