Data & Analytics

Customers that shop at both Amazon and Whole Foods Market are the most upbeat about the online giant’s purchase of the natural foods grocer.   This was according to a new GfK report that was conducted among 1,000 US adults (ages 18 and above) using KnowledgePanel, the company’s probability-based online panel that represents the adult U.S. population. Responses were collected from June 23-26.  

Despite what is shaping up to be a rough second quarter, Hibbett Sports is making a move to streamline its operations.    Days before its second quarter ends on July 29, Hibbett Sports is blaming very challenging sales trends for an approximate 10% decrease in comparable store sales. The decline in sales, along with significant pressure on gross margin is expected to result in a loss of $0.19 to $0.22 per diluted share for the second quarter. The company will release its earnings on Aug. 18.  

Wages

USDOL Tip Pooling Rule: The Labor Department will propose rescinding its regulations for tip pooling. The Obama administration issued rules that prohibited employers from redistributing tips to non-tipped employees, such as "back of the house" workers. Business groups oppose the rule and an association-backed lawsuit is still pending in the courts.

Prime Day 2017 was Amazon’s biggest event yet. But the shopping marathon took a significant toll on brick-and-mortar traffic.   

Sephora continues to experiment with store formats, and this time it's going smaller.  

The hottest trend in the apparel market may be at risk of over-supply.    While athleisure remains popular with consumers, too many retailers have entered the category, reported CNBC.  

Subway is more accurately planning new locations.   The fast-causal restaurant chain is partnering with location intelligence provider SiteZues, to augment its development strategy. The company’s data-driven solution will combine advanced geospatial technology and visualization with Subway’s market data. The result will be more thorough and accurate insights — the foundation Subway needs to plan and expand its market growth.   

Consumers shopping for others bring different expectations and needs than those shopping for themselves. Until now, retailers have turned a blind eye to the enormous sales opportunities in digital gifting, which is estimated to represent $200 billion-300 billion in sales annually.  Leading retailers and brands such as Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Coach, Lilly Pulitzer, Vera Bradley, and others have begun to embrace innovative, new digital gifting solutions and monetize the emerging digital gifting category.