Data & Analytics

Retailers report June sales
New York -- Although the list of retailers reporting monthly sales has grown considerably slim over the past few years, a handful are still going public with the metric.

Costco Wholesale Corp. announced on Thursday that its same-store sales fell 1% in June, following a 1% drop in its most recent quarter (ended May 1), which was the chain’s first quarterly drop since 2009.
Conn’s taps West Marine exec as CFO
New York -- Every retailer needs a good CFO and that’s especially true at Conn’s where the company’s business model requires balancing the need to grow sales against the charge off risk associated with extending credit to subprime customers.

Conn’s, the 90-store retailer of furniture, bedding, appliances and consumer electronics, named Thomas Moran CFO on July 9. He replaces Mark Haley, Conn’s chief accounting officer, who had filled the position on an interim basis since last December.

Toys ‘R’ Us kicks its e-commerce business up a notch

Wayne, N.J. – Toys “R” Us is taking e-commerce into its own hands.

In a move to optimize its e-commerce business and significantly improve the customer experience online, the toy giant announced plans to bring its U.S. e-commerce operations in-house. The plans include building and managing a new platform for Toysrus.com, Babiesrus.com and FAO.com.

Toys “R” Us expects to launch its own online platform by the end of summer 2016.
Ikea goes greener in Canada

Burlington, Ontario -- Ikea Canada announced the national rollout of electric vehicle charging stations at each of its 12 stores across Canada.

The rollout, set to be completed by late August of this year, is the first national installation of EV charging stations in Canada by a retailer at all of its locations.
Target opening high-tech, ‘connected’ home showcase

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. is putting a spotlight on how the “Internet of Things“(IoT) will transform consumers’ homes and lives.

The company has opened an experimental space that provides an upfront and personal look at how the IoT can connects everyday items like thermostats and door locks. The move follows the opening of Sears’s “Connected Solutions” flagship in San Bruno, California.
On heels of strong Q3, Walgreens officially has new CEO

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens Boots Alliance appears to be just getting started. The company posted third-quarter EPS of $1.02 for the period ended May 31, which was 15 cents better than analyst estimates of 87 cents. However, revenue for the quarter came in at $28.8 billion, up 48.4%, against consensus estimates of $29.6 billion. Domestic operations were up 5.3% to $20.4 billion.
American Express debuts competitor to PayPal

New York -- The online checkout space keeps getting more crowded.

American Express on Thursday launched Amex Express Checkout, an alternative online payment method that its U.S. card members can use to check out and pay on partnering websites and apps. Unlike other online payments tools currently in the marketplace, Amex Express Checkout does not require a card member to create or manage a new account.
Walgreens posts 82% profit boost, names Stefano Pessina CEO

The man who ran European drugstore chain Alliance Boots before its merger last year with Walgreens has agreed to become the top executive of the combined company.
Specialty pharmacy bumps Fred's sales

Fred's Inc. says the expansion of its specialty pharmacy business helped drive an increase in sales in June.

Fred's total sales for the period ended July 4 increased 12% to $212.9 million from $190.8 million in June 2014. Excluding $7.4 million from last year's June sales for 56 subsequently closed locations, total sales increased 16% for the month. Same store sales for the month increased 1.6% compared with a decrease of 0.6% in the same period last year.
American Express unveils answer to Paypal

The online checkout space keeps getting more crowded.
Costco comps increase in June

Headwinds from fuel price fluctuations and currency exchange rates lessened for Costco in June as the retailer posted a bump in same store sales.

The warehouse club reported net sales of $11.01 billion for the month of June, the five weeks ended July 5, an increase of 1% from $10.88 billion during the similar period last year. Same store sales, excluding the negative impacts from gasoline price deflation and foreign exchange, were 6%.
Target debuts connected home showroom

Target Corp. is putting a spotlight on how the “Internet of Things“(IoT) will transform consumers’ homes and lives.