Data & Analytics

The Kroger Co. has broken its impressive record of 52 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth.    The supermarket giant on Thursday posted an unexpected decline in fourth-quarter same-store sales on Thursday amid ongoing food price deflation and increased competition.   Kroger’s net income fell to $506 million, or 53 cents per share, for the quarter ended Jan. 28, in line with estimates, and down from $559 million, or 57 cents per share, a year earlier.   

Albertsons Companies is taking steps to help its buyers add new products to store shelves.   By adopting an online platform from RangeMe, buyers will gain an efficient way to discover innovative new products and manage the inbound product submission process. The solution supports buyers’ and suppliers’ efforts in finding relevant and trending products for customers, who then benefit from a broader selection of items to choose from in the aisle, the chain said.  

Shoppers just can’t get enough of off-price stores.   On the heels of strong results by TJX Cos. and Ross Stores, Burlington Stores on Thursday turned in a stellar fourth quarter performance. And it also revealed plans to expand its store base.    Burlington’s net income in the quarter, ended January 28, surged 27.1% to $125.6 million, or $1.77 per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were $1.78 per share. The results easily topped Wall Street expectations. 

Two new projects — on three continents — are expanding the reach of Domino’s conversational-based orders.   The pizza giant, which was among the first companies to launch digital ordering on Google Home in December, is introducing the service to more users in the United States. Now guests can start a new order without having to be a member of the “Pizza Profile” rewards program — a move that opens up the service to more shoppers.  

Alexa is getting personal.   Amazon is reportedly working on a feature that would allow the Alexa voice assistant that powers its Echo line of speakers to distinguish between individual users based on their voice, sources familiar with the situation told Time.    

Don’t blame it on the technology.   In a blog post on its site, Amazon explained the reason why Amazon Web Services suffered a four-hour outage on Tuesday, one that caused significant problems at numerous Internet sites, including those operated by retailers.   

The asset disposition company A&G Realty has entered into a joint venture with a supermarket real estate veteran with the business proposition that better data analysis will help retailers be more proactive in managing real estate portfolios.  

Abercrombie’s efforts to revive its namesake brand still have a ways to go judging by its fourth quarter performance. But Hollister is on the upswing.    Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s total revenue in the quarter, ended Jan. 28, fell 7% to $1.04 billion, slightly below expectations.