Data & Analytics

A win-win for retail merchants and operators
Merchants intent on growing sales and operators eager to reduce shrink can both find something to like in a new service offering from global loss prevention leader Tyco Retail Solutions.

Tyco took the concept of software as a service, commonly referred to as SaaS, and applied it to the world of asset protection in a way that offers benefits to merchants and store operations executives looking to reduce shrink.
Amazon takes big step to fulfill small items
A few days after announcing a new fulfillment center in Edgerton, Kansas, Amazon.com is unveiling plans for another new center that will serve customers a little further west.

Amazon plans to open a seventh California fulfillment center in San Bernardino, where the company launched its fulfillment center in the state in 2012. The retailer currently employs more than 12,000 full-time hourly associates at its six existing California locations and says it will hire more than 1,000 full-time employees in the new San Bernardino facility.

Jo-Ann names former Walgreen exec CFO

Former Walgreens and Tyson Foods executive Wade Miquelon was named CFO at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores.

Jo-Ann said as CFO Miquelon would oversee the retailer’s finance organization, real estate, information technology and general counsel.
Jewelry chain seeks shiny, new customer experience

Helzberg Diamonds knows its clientele expects quality, both in merchandise and in the service they receive.

So the Kansas City-based, 230-plus-store specialty jewelry retailer is implementing Oracle Retail XStore POS software, as well as other third-party customer engagement and payment processing technology. With retail system integration services provider BTM global handling all implementation, Helzberg will obtain point-to-point encryption, tokenization and EMV certification.
Restoration Hardware slips in Q4; sees new brand as $1 billion business

Production and shipping delays related to its new collection of modern furniture, which it also has launched as a standalone business, are taking a toll on Restoration Hardware Holdings Inc. as the high-end retailer issued a weak outlook for the current quarter.

Restoration Hardware (RH) reported its fourth-quarter earnings slid to $33.3 million, or 79 cents a share, from $42.5 million, or $1.02 a share, a year earlier. On an adjusted basis, the company earned 98 cents a share, which fell short of its own projection released in February.
Square increases access to omnichannel payment

Payments processing company Square is launching new APIs that will open its platform to seamlessly conduct transactions in-store or digitally.

A new e-commerce API will allow retailers of all sizes to accept payments for transactions on their websites. It provides a hosted Javascript library that embeds a secure credit card form on the page. A one-time use token encrypts the customer’s payment information as it travels to the retailer’s application server, which then sends the card notice and payment details to Square for processing.
Sales at Claire's fall in Q4

Claire's Stores blamed currency exchange rates and store cloures for its decrease in revenue in the fourth quarter.

The specialty retailer said that for the period ended Jan. 30, net sales were $402.6 million, a decrease of $9.8 million, or 2.4% compared to the fiscal 2014 fourth quarter. The company said the decrease was attributable to an unfavorable foreign currency translation effect of non-U.S. net sales, the effect of store closures, decreased shipments to franchisees and a 0.2% decrease in same-store sales.
Supplier survey bodes well for retail sales

If the major suppliers of soft goods such as clothing and accessories to retail stores are a bellwether of the economy, then the coming months are looking to provide a jolt as 75% of these suppliers expect retail sales to significantly outpace the gross domestic product for the spring and summer shopping season.

That’s one of the major findings of a new survey conducted by Capital Business Credit.
Amazon to add yet another center to sprawling distribution network

A few days after announcing a new fulfillment center in Edgerton, Kansas, Amazon.com is unveiling plans for another new center that will serve customers a little further west.

Amazon plans to open a seventh California fulfillment center in San Bernardino, where the company launched its first Golden State fulfillment center in the state in 2012. The retailer currently employs more than 12,000 full-time hourly associates at its six existing California locations and says it will hire more than 1,000 full-time employees in the new San Bernardino facility.
Lululemon strikes familiar growth pose

To drive growth in 2016 Lululemon will again rely on a rapid pace of store expansion and an e-commerce fueled same-store sales increase after that combination enabled the company to achieve record results and surpass annual sales of $2 billion in 2015.

Lululemon dramatically increased its selling space last year, adding 57 new stores to a base of 316 stores to end the year with 363 units. The surge in new store construction is understandable given that Lululemon’s sales per square foot of roughly $1,500 is among the highest in retail.
Conn's to open new stores, names new chairman

Conn’s is planning to make investments in technology, credit and personnel in 2016 as the retailer looks to expand its footprint and improve profitability.

For the fourth quarter ended Jan. 31 the retailer said revenues increased 7% to $456.8 million. Same store sales decreased 1.7%. Conn's said its credit segment operating loss increased from $11.3 million to $19.3 million, driven primarily by bad debts.
Ron Johnson’s Enjoy expanding

The nearly one-year-old online retail startup from Ron Johnson is expanding into new markets.

Enjoy, which sells higher-end consumer electronics that trained experts hand deliver and provide training for at no additional charge, has added Los Angeles to its delivery area. Its next market will be Chicago.

The company already services San Francisco and New York City.