Data & Analytics

Lower costs boost Rent-A-Center profit
Plano, Texas – Reductions in labor hours and store expenses, as well as a sourcing and distribution initiative, helped boost profit at Rent-A-Center Inc. in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Net income rose 31% to $23.15 million, from $17.68 million the same quarter a year earlier.

Consolidated revenue also performed well, growing 6% to $815.34 million from $768.43 million. Consolidated same-store sales increased 7.5%, aided by especially strong performance in Mexico stores.
In-store experience evolves with customer expectations
Customer expectations of the store have changed dramatically in the last few years as constant connectivity has changed the way consumers live their lives. Johann Wrede, senior director of solution marketing for SAP, recently discussed the evolution of the in-store experience with Chain Store Age.

1. How have customer expectations for the in-store experience changed in the last few years?

Supervalu considers spinning off its best banner

Minneapolis – Supervalu Inc. beat Wall Street expectations for profit in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 and also announced it is considering spinning off its Save-A-Lot grocery banner. Net earnings soared 42% to $61 million, from $43 million in the same quarter the prior fiscal year.

Cost of sales rose at a slower pace than net sales, aiding profit growth. Net sales rose 3% to $5.41 billion, from $5.26 billion.
Amazon rolls out the red carpet for startups

Amazon is going to make it very easy for startups to launch, market and distribute their products to hundreds of millions of Amazon customers across the globe.

The retailer is launching a program called Launchpad, which offers a streamlined onboarding experience, custom product pages, a comprehensive marketing package, and access to Amazon’s global fulfillment network, all geared toward helping startups successfully launch their innovations and share their stories.
Old Navy empowers kids to be #Unlimited

This back-to-school season Old Navy is asking kids at Boys & Girls Clubs around the country what it means to be #Unlimited.
UPS delivers expanded e-commerce options

The e-commerce experience will be easier for retailers to execute and more enjoyable for shoppers this holiday season thanks to a dramatic expansion of a flexible fulfillment service UPS introduced last year.
TigerDirect wants business customers to 'Ask a shark'

TigerDirect is giving business owners a chance to have their most pressing business growth questions answered by an expert.

The retailer is sponsoring a contest featuring Kevin O'Leary, an entrepreneur, investor, journalist, and financial commentator who is most famous for being a "Shark" investor on the ABC reality television series Shark Tank.
Drought doesn't deter Big 5 Sporting Goods

The CEO of Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. says sales and earnings are growing at the California-based retailer despite the recreational impacts of the drought in that state.
Kohl's teaching the technology of retail

Kohl’s is looking to mold the minds of the next generation of retailers with an innovative new program for students.
Walmart takes a White House pledge

New York -- Walmart has joined an elite group of corporate titans in taking a pledge to fight climate change. Among other things, the retail giant will double its solar commitment.

Walmart on Monday signed a pledge to take measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase low-carbon investments and invest in clean energy as part of a new White House climate change initiative, the “American Business Act on Climate Pledge.”
Survey highlights top obstacles to EMV readiness

Atlanta -- A sizeable number of businesses won’t meet the EMV transition deadline, according to a survey by Randstad Technologies.
Survey: Nike swooshes past back-to-school competitors

Beloit, Wis. – Athletic brand Nike, which first rose to dominance with the ascent of longtime spokesperson Michael Jordan as an NBA superstar in the early 1990s, is maintaining its leading position with consumers.

According to a new survey of 1,000 U.S. adults by online deal site FatWallet, a leading 41% of kids are asking for Nike products this back-to-school season.