Data & Analytics

Amazon on Thursday posted its eight straight quarter of net profitability, fueled by growth in e-commerce sales and its lucrative cloud service platform, Amazon Web Services.   Amazon easily topped earning expectations for its first quarter, ended March 31, reporting $1.48 per share, above the $1.12 Wall Street expected. Net income rose to $724 million from $513 million in the year-ago period.  

Companies are adopting more solutions to gain a 360-degree view of each customer.   While 88% of companies believe their investments help their organization understand customer needs, only 61% of consumers agree — a gap that is costing retailers $62 billion a year, according to research from Talend. The provider of cloud and big data integration software surveyed 361 IT leaders and 1,094 consumers in the United States, the U.K., France, and Germany.   

More retailers are putting mobile devices into their associates’ hands.   Momentum is so strong that within three years, 89% of retailers will give their associates access to mobile solutions, according to “The Mobile World of Retail,” a report from Boston Retail Partners. BRP surveyed the top North American retailers to explore the current state of how mobile technology is shaping retail capabilities, priorities and processes.   

A new accounting standard is pushing Tilly’s to get a better handle on its lease administration.   The new accounting standard, FASB ASC 842, requires non-governmental companies to include lease obligations on their balance sheets. To avoid a compliance burden, the teen apparel retailer will use software from Accruent to manage leases for its 222 stores.   

Tractor Supply Company reported declines in first quarter comp-store sales and net income as mild weather reduced sales of winter products.    "Due to the challenging weather conditions, we were unable to offset the strong seasonal performance from last year's first quarter," said CEO Greg Sandfort. "As the weather has normalized over the past few weeks, we are encouraged with how the customer has responded and believe there is significant spring business ahead of us."  

Target Corp. is extending its progress to renewable energy and making progress on its goal to have 500 buildings with rooftop solar panels by 2020.   

Barnes & Noble has ended its quest for a new chief executive with an in-house promotion.   The struggling bookseller named Demos Parneros as CEO, effective immediately. Parneros, who has served as COO of Barnes & Noble since November 2016, is a longtime Staples veteran. Prior to joining Barnes & Noble, he was president of North American stores & online for the office supply giant.  

The Aldo Group is making strides on its digital transformation journey.   The retailer has launched a new responsive website and e-commerce platform that will integrate retail online, in-store and mobile channels. The move comes as Aldo transitions leadership, with company founder Aldo Bensadoun naming his son, David Bensadoun, as the new CEO earlier this month.