Data & Analytics

Big Lots raised its full-year guidance even as it posted a sales decline in its first quarter.   The discounter reported net income of $1.4 million amid improving profit margins, after reporting a loss in the same period a year earlier. Gross profit margin edged up by nearly a full percentage point to 40% of sales.   Revenue fell 1% to $1.11 billion, just missing Street forecasts. Same-store sales were flat.   

More holiday shoppers grabbed Cyber Week deals this year than ever before — and retailers are eager to keep up the momentum.   Consumers set new records for online sales this year across Black Friday and Cyber Monday, marking a 15.7% year-over-year (YoY) increase in transactions compared to online holiday sales last year. However, there is another day contributing to this increase: Bounceback Tuesday — the day following Cyber Monday where advertisers are actively re-engaging shoppers to drive additional sales.  

Competition was fierce during Cyber Week, however, the clear winners were those retailers that stayed in-stock and offered assortments at the best price points.    That’s according to the third annual “Holiday Season Report” from Ugam. The managed analytics firm collected and analyzed detailed assortment and pricing information among Amazon, Best Buy, Jet.com, Target, Toys "R" Us and Walmart during Thanksgiving week, from Nov. 24-28, 2016.   

Ascena Retail Group reported a profit in its first quarter on lower costs, but it missed Wall Street expectations.    The company, whose banners include Ann Taylor, Loft, Lane Bryant, Dress Barn and more, reported net income of $14 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, in the first quarter, compared to a net loss of $18 million last year, or $0.10 per diluted share. Ascena’s income for the first quarter reflected lower purchase accounting adjustments and acquisition and integration costs.   

The new, 45,000-sq.-ft. adidas flagship in New York City is the athletic giant’s largest store in the world — and its most brand immersive.    Sleek and ultra-modern looking, the store marks the debut of adidas’ stadium retail concept, which is inspired by high school stadiums and celebrates creativity in sport. It features a tunnel entrance, high-school reminiscent bleacher stands for live-game viewing on big screens, locker room-styled dressing rooms and track and turf sections where customers can try out products.

At a time when consumers have been trained to hold out for the sale, lingerie retailer Etam has entered into a partnership with First Insights designed to empower the brand to get the product and price right the first time.       

It’s not easy for a family-owned company to phase out its homegrown systems in favor of automation.    Cavender’s Boot City has not only taken this bold step, but it’s  upping the ante even further as it transitions its workforce management (WFM) platform to the cloud.   Cavender’s is a 90-year-old western specialty retailer that continues to grow — even while it maintained homegrown IT systems, including a legacy-based WFM operations.   

For any retailer that ever wanted to create a “mobile showcase” on Pinterest, now is your chance.