Data & Analytics

Target shakeup continues with new COO
Minneapolis – The ongoing shakeup of senior management that has been occurring at Target Corp. since CEO Brian J. Cornell took the reins in August 2014 is continuing. Target has promoted John Mulligan, who has served as CFO since 2012, to the newly created role of executive VP and COO, effective Sept. 1.
Lighting as a Service: A Zero-Cost Option for LED Retrofits
As technology for LED lighting continues to improve, it is expected that LED lighting -- which is more energy efficient, lasts longer and has a significantly lower cost of operation -- will completely replace traditional fluorescent and HID lighting technologies. The LED lighting market is anticipated to grow 45% per year though 2020, and is expected to reach a market size of over $60 billion dollars.

Report: Bezos blasts reports of abusive Amazon culture

Seattle – Jeff Bezos, CEO and founder of Amazon.com, is reportedly blasting an article in the New York Times that accuses the retailer of having a ruthless and even abusive workplace culture. According to CNBC, in an internal memo (excerpt below), the article is inaccurate and goes beyond “isolated anecdotes.”
Three Thoughts on Real-Time Consumer Product Interactions

I recently participated in an SAP-sponsored panel discussion on Game-Changers Radio about how consumer product companies are using real-time consumer insights and engagement. Buoyed by constant customer connectivity, consumer product firms are gaining a much clearer and timelier picture of their end customers, and also directly engaging them near or in real time.
QVC buys struggling online retailer for $2.4 billion

Englewood, Colo. – Home shopping retailer QVC is expanding its omnichannel reach. QVC parent company Liberty Interactive Corp. is purchasing struggling online retailer Zulily Inc. for $2.4 billion in cash and stock.
Cornell's revamp of Target leadership continues

CEO Brian Cornell isn't done retooling the executive leadership team at Target Corp.: The retailer now has a new COO and CFO.

Target has promoted current CFO John Mulligan to the newly created role of executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective Sept. 1. Mulligan will assume oversight of stores, supply chain and properties. Joining Target as executive vice president and chief financial officer will be Cathy Smith, a seasoned retail business leader. Both Mulligan and Smith will report to Cornell.
Amazon CEO blasts report on 'abusive' workplace

The CEO of Amazon.com is hitting back against an article in the New York Times over the weekend that accuses the retailer of having a ruthless and even abusive workplace culture.

According to CNBC, an internal memo (excerpt below) from CEO Jeff Bezos being circulated at Amazon.com calls the article inaccurate and beyond “isolated anecdotes.” Bezos also made the rounds on newspaper websites and on cable TV lambasting the Times article as "not the Amazon" he knows.
QVC adds some hipster cred with acquisition

QVC just gained some credibility among hipsters and millennials by buying a popular Internet flash sale site that caters to those younger shoppers.
GameStop scores big on social engagement

GameStop is known for innovative promotions, but now the specialty retailer has made social marketing personal with its latest Summer at GameStop event.

The retailer has announced the winners of Summer at GameStop, a five-week social engagement and contest series aimed at gamers who shared their personal stories on how video gaming brings fans together to create unique friendships and lifelong relationships - and brought longtime friends together from across the country in the process.
Holiday shopping is starting earlier than ever

A new study seems to support the theory that holiday shopping is often starting earlier than commonly thought, especially online.
On Call Scheduling: The Beginning of the End?

Retail consulting firm McMillanDoolittle, Chicago, weighs in on its blog with three reasons why any retailer using the practice of “on-call” labor scheduling should end it immediately.
A brighter future for J.C. Penney?

Plano, Texas -- While it’s way too early to start popping the champagne, J.C. Penney Co. has to be pleased about its second quarter financial results, which topped analysts expectations and suggested that the company’s turnaround is in progress.