Data & Analytics

Abercrombie swings to loss in Q2 but still tops Street
New Albany, Ohio – Efforts to change its merchandising and branding paid dividends at Abercrombie & Fitch Co., which reported smaller net loss and revenue decline than expected in the second quarter of fiscal 2015.

Abercrombie reported a net loss of $810,000, compared to net income of $12.9 million the same quarter a year earlier.

Revenue fell 9% to $817.8 million, from $890.6 million.
New start-up aims to help retailers embrace social shopping
Los Altos, Calif. -- A start-up from the former head of Google Shopping, Nitin Mangtani, aims to make the “buy button” on social media a reality for consumers.

The company, PredictSpring, has created a technology platform designed to drive mobile commerce by improving and simplifying the way consumers shop on mobile phones and to easily enable “buy” experiences on brand and social media apps. Businesses using the platform include Cole Haan, Eddie Bauer, Bluefly and Woodcraft.

Target explains chip cards to customers

New York -- Target Corp. has finished EMV conversion at the point-of-sale. And the retailer is letting customers in on the news.

The chain has posted an article, “Chip Cards at Target: Five Things You Need to Know Before You Check Out,” and related video on its blog.

In the posting, Target gives customers some advice for using chip cards, including that they leave the card in the card reader until prompted to remove it.
Report: Mobile commerce to skyrocket

New York -- Global mobile commerce is set to explode, according to Coupofy.com, a Seattle-based database of online coupon codes.
The company predicts global mobile commerce will grow 42% annually between 2013 and 2016, compared to 13% for regular e-commerce. Mobile shoppers will spend an estimated $600 billion in 2018, up from $200 billion in 2014.

See more here.
And the leading mobile retailer is…

Seattle – Mobile shopping has been getting attention for its rapid growth, and one major retailer is leading the way.

According to new data from online coupon database Coupofy.com, Amazon.com is the leading mobile commerce retailer, with 110% growth in 2014, earning revenues of $16.8 billion.

Amazon is followed by Apple ($14 billion), Chinese store Jingdong Mall ($5.8 billion), Google Play ($4.4 billion), and QVC ($1.86 billion).
Walgreens manages energy expenses

Deerfield, Ill. - Walgreens is taking a smart approach to energy expense management.

The retailer expanded its use of EnerNOC's energy intelligence software to manage its utility bills at more than 8,300 sites across the U.S.
Tully’s revels in mobile POS capability

Seattle – Tully’s Coffee is reveling in a new mobile POS capability.

More precisely, Tully’s has selected Revel's iPad POS systems to be deployed across 46 corporate stores located in the western U.S.

The lightweight Revel hardware decreases the amount of counter space used, connects to the cloud and seamlessly integrates with Tully's current Synergy loyalty platform. Tully’s can also track inventory, manage payroll and provide analytics in real time.
DirectBuy overhauls its website and strategy

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JCPenney touts its green successes

The J.C. Penney Co. Inc. is in the green again – at least when it comes to taking its sustainability responsibilities very seriously.
What’s keeping CFOs awake at night?

Chicago -- The nation’s finance chiefs have a lot on their minds these days, from uncertainty in the U.S. economy to cybersecurity to regulatory and compliance issues. Another big concern: Congressional dysfunction around tax reform.
Amazon getting boozy — but only in Seattle

New York -- Not only is Amazon.com launching its one-hour Prime Now delivery service in its hometown of Seattle, but it's also adding a whole new category of deliverable products.

The retailer announced Tuesday it will add wine, beer and spirits to its assortment of eligible products for Prime Now delivery.

With the launch of Prime Now in Seattle, it's the first U.S. city to include alcohol in the assortment of products eligible for the quick-delivery service.
Consumer confidence has sharp rebound in August

New York -- Consumers didn’t let the heat get them down in August.

Consumer confidence rebounded in August, rising 10. 5 points to the strongest reading in seven months after having fallen sharply in July.

The Conference Board said Tuesday that its index of consumer confidence rose to 101.5 in August, up from a revised July reading of 91.0. It was the best showing since January.