Data & Analytics

With the advent of social media came an outburst of sharing content, expressing opinions and increasing expectations. And in an industry where brands and fashion houses were once responsible for creating trends, consumers are now taking the reins. They’re turning to social channels to chat with other shoppers and share likes, dislikes and the next best thing – which is often changing as fast as the social conversation.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. - Dollar General Corp. has promoted one of its finance executives to interim CFO.

The discounter named John W. Garratt as interim CFO effective July 1. He follows David Tehle, who had previously announced his retirement in March 2015.

Garratt, who is currently the senior VP of finance and strategy, will now oversee all aspects of the company’s financial, accounting and information technology operations until a new CFO is in place.

Union, N.J. – Bed, Bath & Beyond Inc. missed Wall Street expectations for profit and same-store sales during a not-so-comfy first quarter of 2015. Net earnings dropped 18% to $158.5 million from $187.1 million, with increased selling, general and administrative (SG&A) and interest expenses offsetting higher gross profit.

Net sales totaled $2.74 billion, an increase of 3% from $2.66 billion. Same-store sales increased by 2.2%, including the negative impact of Canadian currency fluctuation.

Medina, Minn. - Rockler Woodworking and Hardware has improved store workflow by implementing the ReflexisPlus and StoreWalk for ReflexisPlus task management and retail store auditing solutions. Rockler, which provides woodworking and do-it-yourself supplies, tools, and media implemented the Reflexis store execution and compliance solutions in three weeks in its 29 stores located across the U.S.

San Francisco - Instacart is utilizing Zebra's hosted Zatar Internet of Things (IoT) platform for cloud printing and device management of Zebra printers. This new solution allows Instacart to print labels at locations across the U.S. securely and accurately.

Instacart chose to use the Zatar IoT platform for its ability to connect to and control devices in third-party locations via an API. The solution connects Instacart's printers to the cloud and enables the organization to interact with, monitor and manage Zebra printers globally.

Armonk, N.Y. – IBM is launching a new event readiness services offering that will enable businesses in industries including retail to prepare for unexpected surges in online traffic and sales. IBM experts will work with clients through a series of questions that analyze the capacity of the current infrastructure in place and the potential impediments.  

New York -- The gap in prices between Amazon and Walmart.com’s grocery basket has widened in the past two months, according to a report by 360pi. The company conducted a two-month study, comparing a basket of grocery pantry/household items spanning a number of CPG brands with a non-grocery basket (such as toys, electronics and tools) basket shopped on Amazon.com and Walmart.com.

New York -- Dutch supermarket giant Ahold has agreed to buy Belgian rival Delhaize, creating the sixth largest food retailer in the United States. Keith Anderson, VP of strategy & insights for Profitero, and formerly a retail analyst with RetailNet Group, offers his thoughts on what led to the merger, and what it may bring.  

E-commerce solutions provider Digital River Inc. has named a Groupon executive as its next CFO.

Digital River has announced that Hoke Horne has joined the company as chief financial officer. In this role, Horne, who has more than 20 years of financial experience, will be responsible for the company’s accounting, finance, tax, corporate development and enterprise operations activities.

Dollar General Corp. has promoted one of its finance executives to serve as interim chief financial officer.

The company says John W. Garratt will serve as interim chief financial officer effective July 1. He follows David Tehle, who had previously announced his retirement in March.