Data & Analytics

A Five-Point Checklist for Retailers Making the Move to EMV Before the October Deadline
Credit card fraud is in the United States is at epidemic levels. Last year, the U.S. accounted for more fraud than the rest of the world combined. And the fraud rates are accelerating. EMV technology, which has shown to greatly reduce in-store fraud in the Europe, is finally being rolled out in the United States with an impending deadline in October 2015 when retailers will be liable for in-store fraud for cards that have chips on them.
Survey shows how smartphones changing retail landscape
Austin, Texas -- Smartphones are quickly becoming the first screen for consumers — even in retail stores. But while consumers overwhelmingly prefer to access the Internet on their mobile devices, only 30% use retailer applications to purchase products.

Those are two of the key takeaways of a study RetailMeNot, which commissioned Forrester Consulting to look at how smartphones and apps are changing the retail landscape and how retailers should respond to engage shoppers.

Macy’s Q2 falls short; announces new omnichannel, global initiatives

Cincinnati -- Macy’s on Wednesday announced several key initiatives to drive its growth going forward, ranging from new store ventures to digital efforts to an international foray.
Wayfair investors say ‘way to go’

Online home furnishings retailer Wayfair is losing less money than before and gaining new customers at a rapid pace.
Will Macy's get caught up in a currency war?

At a time when the Chinese currency is being devalued and Macy’s financial results are disappointing investors, the company is forming an exclusive partnership with Alibaba.
These brands are tops with students

Barnes & Noble is tops when it comes to the most powerful “Back-to-School” retail brands, according to a new survey.
Here's how millennials put grocers to the test

A new report is underscoring grocers’ need to appeal to millennial shoppers in unique ways.
Sports Authority stays on same omnichannel track

Sports Authority is looking to advance its omnichannel strategy by continuing to partner with personalization solutions provider Certona for the fifth year in a row.
REI gets its first ever CIO

REI has grown to 140 stores in 33 states with a sizable e-commerce operation. Imagine what the company will be able to do now that it has finally named a chief information officer and gotten aggressive about recruiting technology talent.

The national outdoor specialty retailer elevated Julie Averill to the role of CIO after the 25 year technology veteran joined the company last year as senior vice president of information technology. She joined REI from Nordstrom where she served as the department store retailer’s vice president of technology.
Amazon hot in July

New York -- Amazon should be feeling pumped about the results of its one-day super sale anniversary event in July.

The Internet giant had a 30.1% increase in marketplace sales in July over the year-ago period, with the increase likely due to its “Prime Day” sale on July 15, according to a ChannelAdvisor report.
Order ahead at Jamba Juice

Emeryville, Calif. -- Jamba Juice is making it more convenient for customers to get their smoothies.

The chain announced that consumers will now be able to skip the line at over 200 stores where the retailer will be rolling out the first phase of its new mobile order-ahead app. The new smartphone tool is available on the Jamba Juice app.
Staples debuts first-of-its-kind online store selling crowdfunded products

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples has opened an online store whose products were determined by crowdfunding.

The winners of the chain’s inaugural Crowd2Shelf Contest are being featured on Staples’ new entrepreneurial store at Staples.com/fundable. The debut of the online store marks the first time a retailer has used crowdfunding to determine market demand and social support in choosing products to carry.