Data & Analytics

Affluence is out. So are the days of the mass market.    A new report projects 10 years out and reveals three fundamental principles that are shaping tomorrow's consumer packaged goods and retail industries: trust, influence and personalization. In a preview of its 2017 Global Future Consumer study, A.T. Kearney predicts the death of the scale economy that focuses on catering to affluence in favor of one driven by the influence of industry stakeholders, particularly by the hyper-connectivity of the younger generations.

Lamps Plus is making it easier for Canadian shoppers to make a purchase.   The specialty lamps retailer debuted lampsplus.ca, an e-commerce website designed to provide a localized experience in Canada. Canadian shoppers have been purchasing from Lamps Plus ever since the retailer debuted online in 1998. However, the new site specifically targets the Canadian market with prices displayed in CAD dollars.   

Walgreens’ mobile apps biggest fans aren’t exactly the demographic people typically associate with technology adoption.  

Consumers may want a more personalized shopping experience, but some efforts in this regard creep them out.      

Eager to improve customer service and security at the front end, Forever 21 is converting its point-of-sale (POS) fleet to a single solution.   Through a partnership with Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, the fast-fashion retailer is adding the vendor’s hardware, equipment and services across all its corporate stores around the globe. The agreement makes Toshiba the chain’s single point of contact for all POS systems, peripherals and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) front and back office retail store technology. 

An online thrift store that counts some 20 million users has opened its first-ever physical storefront.    ThredUp has opened an outpost at Tanger Outlets, in San Marcos, Texas. The company plans to add four additional locations by year end. It is targeting traditional malls, outlet centers, and main street shopping districts nationwide.   

While Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods Market signifies a staggering boost in its physical store breadth, the deal is much more valuable than that.   This is according to “LandMark Insights,” a report from PlaceIQ. The study analyzed more than 165 million anonymous and opted-in mobile device signals nationwide to determine visitation patterns and audience affinities, among other metrics. These transactions were compiled over a 90-day period.   

Kohl's has ended its search for a new finance chief.   The retailer has appointed Bruce H. Besanko to the position of CFO, effective July 10.  He will replace Wesley McDonald, who announced plans in November to retire this spring after 14 years with the company.