Data & Analytics

Northbrook, Ill. – The U.S. Secret Service has reportedly arrested three members of a family living in Northbrook, Ill., for running a sophisticated shoplifting ring that stole items from stores ranging from Maryland to Texas during the past 10 years.

Ongoing weakness at Staples' North American retail division has resulted in the planned closure of 225 units as part of a larger expense savings program and increased emphasis on digital initiatives.

The store closure announcement, part of a larger plan expected to save $500 million by the end of 2015, was announced in conjunction with the release of fourth-quarter results and new insights regarding the company’s online business.

The Children’s Place is the latest retailer to say heavy promotions and bad weather hurt its fourth-quarter results.

The company’s net earnings in the quarter ended Feb. 1 dropped 18% to $15.7 million, from $19.1 million in the year-ago period, which had an extra week. It reported net sales of $467.5 million for the quarter, down from $509.2 million in the year-ago period. Same-store sales declined 4.3%.

Deerfield Park, Ill. – Total sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 at Walgreens were $19.61 billion, up 5.2% from $18.65 billion in the same quarter in the prior year. Same-store sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 increased 4.5%, while front-end same-store sales for the quarter increased 2%. Prescriptions filled at same stores increased 2.4% in the second quarter and same-store pharmacy sales increased 6.1%.

Revlon said fourth quarter sales increased 28%, thanks to the inclusion of sales at The Colomer Group, which it acquired in October.

Net sales for the quarter totaled $491 million, up 28% compared with $383.5 million in the year-ago period. On a foreign currency fluctuations or XFX basis, total net sales rose 31.2%, benefiting from the inclusion of $116.8 million of net sales related to the Professional segment beginning on The Colomer Group acquisition date. Excluding the acquisition, total net sales rose 0.7% on an XFX basis.

Google Capital has invested $50 million in Auction.com, the world’s largest online real estate marketplace. As part of the investment, one representative from Google Capital will join the company’s board of directors and another will take a board observer position.

Chicago -- Galleria, a provider of retailer and vendor category management solutions, is expanding into the Asia Pacific region.  This growth is part of an ongoing international program of strategic focus and investment for Galleria.

In addition to navigating the regulatory hurdles and adapting to a difference in consumer culture, recent initiatives from Galleria have included solution developments to facilitate new market connectivity in Hong Kong and other areas within the region.

Boston -- Walmart continues to extend its lead and again achieves its price leadership position over Target, in Kantar Retail’s semi-annual pricing study. Target’s overall grocery and consumables basket has been more expensive than Walmart’s since the study was performed in January 2011.

With an overall branded basket 3.8% less expensive than Target’s, Walmart extended its lead over its rival from June 2013 when Walmart’s overall basket was only 2% cheaper than Target’s.