Data & Analytics

Barnes & Noble grows sales; to debut new store format
Barnes & Noble produced a same-store sales increase in its third quarter which, although meager, is an impressive accomplishment given intense competition from Amazon. In announcing its results on Thursday, the company also revealed that it will open four new prototype stores in its current fiscal year. The first is expected to open sometime this summer.
RILA Recap: Retailers seek supply chain solutions
The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) convened its 31st annual Supply Chain Conference earlier this week. RILA’s Caroline Stec provided a recap of an event which drew record attendance.

Stage Stores to close 30 units after weak Q4

Warm weather was a problem for most retailers in the fourth quarter, but Houston-based Stage Stores also got hit by weakness in the energy sector and the Mexican Peso.
Rite Aid posts year-end sales lift of 1.3%

Rite Aid on Thursday announced February sales results of its retail pharmacy segment. For the five weeks ended Feb. 27, total drugstore sales for the five-week period increased 0.1% with sales of $2.6 billion. Prescription sales accounted for 69.4% of drug store sales, and third-party prescription sales represented 98% of pharmacy sales.
Google says, ‘look ma, no hands’
Survey: Retailers focus on specific marketing channel

When it comes to marketing technology spend, retailers are overwhelmingly allocating dollars to a particular consumer touchpoint.

According to a new survey of more than 200 retail marketing executives from digital savings platform RetailMeNot Inc., "The Rise of Mobile Marketing Spend in Retail," 87% of retail marketers plan to invest more in mobile marketing in 2016.

In comparison, 73% of respondents plan to increase non-mobile digital advertising spend and 62% plan to increase their offline advertising spend.
Mall launches ‘industry-first’ navigation app

One of the nation’s most successful upscale shopping centers has launched an app to make shopping easier and more personalized.

The Mall at Short Hills, in Short Hills, New Jersey, has launched an app that offers what the center calls “first-of-its-kind” indoor navigation technology and a host of other shopper-friendly functionality.
Exclusive Content: Retail Gateways

While the phrase gateway markets can be a little bit nebulous – and different people have different ideas about the exact list of cities that qualify – the term is well understood to refer to large mature cities with a track record of population growth, great demographics and a strong and diverse economic foundation.
eBags rolls out new executives

Online specialty luggage retailer eBags Inc. has restructured its senior leadership ranks with several new hires and the promotion of long-time executives.

Scott Erdman has been named chief merchandising officer and Krista Paul is joining as VP of content innovation. eBags also appointed Mike Frazzini CTO and Chris Seahorn VP of marketing.
Kroger’s comp streak continues, cap-ex to surge

The lack of food price inflation which has affected the performance of many grocers had little impact on fourth quarter results at Kroger’s, a company whose string of quarterly same-store sales increases has now entered its 13th year.
Burlington Stores keeps hot streak going

Burlington Stores attracted large numbers of shoppers over the holiday season, as the off-price retailer reported a jump in sales and profit for the fourth quarter.

For the fourth quarter ended Jan. 30, the company said adjusted net income per share rose 26% to $2.31 vs. $1.83 in the prior year quarter.Revenue increased 3.5% to $1.55 billion. Same-store sales increased 2.1%.
Costco prevails during holidays

Costco’s profit fell short of analysts’ estimates at the mid-point in its fiscal year, but business trends were solid in the company’s second quarter with a 4% same store sales increase at U.S. locations.

The company said its total revenues for the period ended Feb. 14, which included the holidays, increased 2.6% to $28.2 billion. Merchandise and service sales increased 2.6% to $27.9 billion and membership fees increased 3.6% to $603 million.