Data & Analytics

A&P bankruptcy pushes central New Jersey retail vacancy rate up
The demise of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. elevated the retail vacancy rate along central New Jersey’s major shopping corridors to 8.8% from 7.5% in 2014.

That’s according to the latest study by R.J. Brunelli & Co. Despite the uptick, the region’s 2015 vacancy factor remained a healthy distance from the 10.2% recorded in 2013 and the eight-year high of 10.5% set in 2011, but was well above the period’s low point of 4.8% posted in 2008.
Study: Online sales, browsing come from different sources
This holiday season, both laptop/desktop computers and mobile phones will play a critical role in the online path to purchase.

According to a new study of more than 1,000 U.S, consumers from online discount platform Ebates, more than half of Americans (53%) are choosing to use their laptops to shop this holiday season, followed by their home computer (39%) and their mobile phone (24%).

The impulse buy playbook: Breaking down the new rules of omnichannel

Social commerce is evolving, which means the omnichannel world is changing, too. Even the mere definition of omnichannel is in flux as the lines between commerce and communication blur and new platforms proliferate.

It’s been a slow evolution, with many attempts to perfect social commerce resulting in failure. Will consumers ever have a world where commerce is one with their social experience? Right now the experience is a lot like being at a party, talking with friends, only to be interrupted by an uninvited guest trying to sell you fabric softener.
Tech Guest Viewpoint: Top Four Retail Tech Predictions for 2016

2015 has been a good year for e-commerce. Alibaba shattered records on Singles Day with $14.3 billion in sales. India witnessed a boom in e-commerce investment from companies looking to win the millions of new smartphone users. Even the Girl Scouts joined the digital mix, rolling out version 2.0 of their Digital Cookie program to boost their online cookie sales.
Top four omnichannel tech predictions for 2016

2015 has been a good year for e-commerce. Alibaba shattered records on Singles Day with $14.3 billion in sales. India witnessed a boom in e-commerce investment from companies looking to win the millions of new smartphone users. Even the Girl Scouts joined the digital mix, rolling out version 2.0 of their Digital Cookie program to boost their online cookie sales. We expect even bigger things from 2016.
Decline of the in-store shopper hits Pier 1 Imports

Pier 1 Imports says it is still confident in its omnichannel strategy despite a mostly flat third quarter in which the company struggled with the same soft store traffic impacting many other retailers.

For the third quarter ended Nov. 28, the specialty retailer said same store sales decreased 0.7%. Total sales decreased 2.5% (a 1.4% decrease on a constant currency basis) to $472.5 million, compared to $484.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. Net income $10.92 million, or 13 cents a share, vs. a profit of $17.86 million, or 20 cents a share, a year ago.
Toys 'R' Us is focused on 'flawless' as it goes into holiday home stretch

With the financial picture improving modestly at Toys “R” Us, CEO David Brandon said the company is ready to build on third quarter successes during the final days of the holiday season.
RILA dishes on drone regs, pledge retail support

Drone sales are expected to set a new sale record this holiday season and create all sorts of new privacy, security and safety challenges in the process. No wonder regulations regarding the recreational use of drones are drawing support from the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA).

RILA in response to an interim final rule issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Dec. 15, pledged its support of what appears to be a common sense requirement that drones weighing up to 55 pounds must be registered.
X Team partner The Chambers Group launches new website

Charlotte, N.C. -- The Chambers Group, an X Team International partner, announced it has launched a new website. The revamped website emphasizes The Chambers Group’s local market knowledge, and provides an interactive property listing map that displays properties for sale, for lease and available land.
Food Lion plays mobile savings tune

Food Lion is launching an omnichannel coupon initiative that combines fun with savings.

Now through Jan. 1, customers can access digital coupons through the Shazam smartphone app while shopping in Food Lion stores. Food Lion has partnered with interactive marketing firm Mood Media Corp. on the campaign.
Phishing attack hits Pandora customers

Shoppers making purchases from specialty jewelry retailer Pandora may find an unwelcome holiday greeting in their inbox.

According to a new advisory from cybersecurity firm Comodo’s Antispam Labs team, a malware attack is specifically targeting businesses and consumers who make purchases from Pandora, which is headquartered in Denmark but conducts operations globally, including in the U.S.
Bigcommerce prepares new environment for new year

Online shopping platform Bigcommerce has some big plans for enhancing the capabilities it offers retailers.

Bigcommerce has signed a strategic partnership with design firm Pixel Union that includes plans to deliver a re-architected, modern storefront development framework in first quarter 2016. The new development framework offers features including a local development environment, the ability to develop with a live store catalogue, and rapid preview and editing capabilities.