Data & Analytics

San Leandro, Calif. - The U.S. retail sector will add nearly 30,000 jobs through the end of December as the country heads into a strong holiday shopping season. According to a study from HR services provider TriNet, recent job growth in the U.S. retail sector is built on positive consumer confidence, increasing retail spending, and positive job market outlook.   

Mountain View, Calif. – Google Inc. is reportedly studying the effect color has on consumer purchase decisions, among other issues. According to Reuters, the company has found a clear link between color and employee satisfaction with their workspaces, and is still in the early stages of research.  

New York – Macy’s Inc. is exclusively offering a line of high-tech-enabled wallets, briefcases and handbags from Royce Leather. The designer collection features the Royce Leather Freedom Briefcase; a security bag with DNA based fingerprint technology that enables a single user to access the bag.  

Cincinnati – Retail real estate services provider Phillips Edison & Company has named Thomas L. Drake, CPA to the role of VP of tax. In his new role, Drake will be responsible for leading all aspects of the tax functions for the organization.  

San Francisco – In the last several years, restaurant revenue declined 22 to 45% during the post-Thanksgiving holiday period. According to a study across quick-serve, fast casual, and fine dining chains by customer engagement solutions provider Thanx Media Inc., the average restaurant experienced a 27% revenue decline in December, as compared to that year's monthly average.   

Menlo Park, Calif. – E-gifting just got personal. Loop Commerce has released a turnkey SaaS solution called Loop that allows consumers to select and send online products as gifts without specifying attributes such as size, style or color.  

Toronto – Staples Canada has released its sustainability report for the third quarter of fiscal 2014, and highlights include collecting and recycling 116,000 kg of batteries, surpassing its goal of 100,000 kg. In addition, in October 2014, Staples became the first Canadian retailer to launch an exclusive green energy offering for small businesses, letting customers sign up for Bullfrog Power online.  

Toronto, Canada - Today’s consumers increasingly shop online with home delivery, eliminating a valuable trip to the store where they can be enticed to make additional purchases. However, a LoyaltyOne survey of 1,000 American consumers indicates a discount on the online purchase for picking up in store (as has been experimented with by Target and Best Buy) will encourage a majority of customers to select that option.