Data & Analytics

When it comes to shopping in stores, “digital natives” want the same technological conveniences they have come to expect online.

According to a new research report from Euclid Analytics, “Bringing Digital Engagement In-store,” 67% of millennial adults age 18-34 would be very or somewhat likely to use in-store WiFi for faster checkout via an exclusive VIP line. This compares to 60% of Gen Xers 35-54 and only 38% of baby boomers age 55 and older.

Shindigz specializes in selling party supplies across mobile, desktop and mobile app channels, and is inviting digital commerce provider Mozu to make the festivities more manageable.

A look at cybercrime, data breach and security threat trends from 2015 demonstrates that criminals are indeed creatures of habit.

According to the Trustwave 2016 Global Security Report, which analyzes results of Trustwave security investigations during 2015, retail was the most targeted industry for data breaches. Twenty-three percent of Trustwave data breach investigations involved retailers. North America was the most popular geographic location for cyberattacks, with 35% of all Trustwave investigations occurring on the continent.

The retail executives responsible for delivering omnichannel customer experience admit there is much work to be done to come in line with consumer expectations and demands.

Business technology and services provider Periscope, a McKinsey solution, conducted a survey of attendees at World Retail Congress 2016 held in Dubai in April 2016. According to the results, only 21% say they are more confident than a year ago on delivering omnichannel experiences. Another 45% say progress is not happening fast enough.

Under Armour continued its winning ways in the first quarter, beating sales and earnings forecast as net revenue rose 30%. The brand has had 24 consecutive quarters — six years — of sales growth of more than 20%.

Sales rose to $1.05 billion for the quarter that ended March 31, up from $805 million in the first three months of last year. The company noted that footwear sales soared more than 60% to $264 million amid the popularity of NBA superstar Stephen Curry’s signature basketball shoe line and expanded running offerings.

Digital retailing is growing in popularity, but the brick-and-mortar channel remains dominant for at least one crucial consumer activity.

According to research firm Toluna, an equal percentage of consumers browse before purchasing online or via mobile (76%) as browse in-store (also 76%). However, when it comes time to make a purchase, 82% will do so in-store while only 65% purchase items online or via mobile.

Brentwood, Tennessee-based rural lifestyle chain Tractor Supply Company saw net income, net sales and same-store sales all rise in the first quarter of fiscal 2016, compared to the prior-year period.

Net income increased 17% to $67.7 million from $58 million, despite a 10% increase in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses to $386.2 million from $351.8 million. Higher gross profit and pretax income helped boost net income.

From hyperlocal social media intelligence to mobile survey creation, this month’s crop of startups is filling niche spaces that can have a big impact on a retailer’s business. Learn about an augmented reality platform that’s elevating the online experience, a social referral startup that makes it easy to spread rewarding word-of-mouth recommendations and an analytics company that helps retailers and CPG companies get the most out of their online and transaction-level customer data.

SurveyMe

CVS Health on Thursday announced that the first CVS Pharmacy locations in Target stores are now open in Utah. The 13 pharmacies are being operated through a store-within-a-store format and are branded CVS Pharmacy.

Andrew Blecher, SVP of public relations at Hudson’s Bay Company