Data & Analytics

Lumber Liquidators widened its net loss in the third quarter, though the retailer did move the needle on net sales, which rose 3.4%.   Lumber Liquidators reported a bigger-than-expected net loss of $18.4 million for the quarter, compared to a loss of $8.5 million in the year-ago period, amid higher-than-expected expenses, including legal fees, as the company continues to rebound from last year's investigation into formaldehyde levels in flooring it had previously sold.  

Online shopping is expected to reach record levels this holiday season, with some reports suggesting it may even match — for the first time ever — physical store spending.     

Five grocery tech experts chimed in on the recent report that Amazon is planning a major move into the brick-and-mortar grocery store space, and see the potential for up to 2,000 branded grocery stores over the next 10 years.   

To bolster its omnichannel efforts, Lowe’s promoted Michael McDermott to chief customer officer.   McDermott, who currently serves as Lowe's chief merchandising officer, will be responsible for creating experiences that best serve customers and differentiate Lowe's in an omnichannel environment. This includes lead-ing strategies, customer insights, customer experience design and market-ing.   

Staples is working on bringing the “on-demand” world to businesses.  

Walmart is testing new technology that could revolutionize the way customers pick up purchases they ordered online.     The discounter has installed a giant machine in a store in Bentonville, Ark., close to its headquarters, that automatically distributes online orders to users of Walmart's  buy-online-pickup-in-store service, reported Business Insider.   The machine is located directly inside the store's entrance.   

Google is testing a feature that allows users to search for specific products nearby or in a specific area using voice commands.    According to a report by MediaPost, the feature, similar to a search experience, provides the users with a response (verbal in this case) based on local inventory around them.   

Wayfair is making a bold move to grab more consumer wallet-share, and compete with brick-and-mortar retailers.   Complementing its private label credit card, Wayfar is offering a financing option to consumers purchasing furniture and decor. Through a partnership with financial services company Affirm, Wayfair shoppers now have the flexibility to buy now and make monthly payments for their purchases — a move that extend financing options to a broader range of customers.