Data & Analytics

Study: Consumers connect in many ways
Lewisville, Texas – Connected consumers are increasingly using a wide variety of channels on their path to purchase. According to new research from Blackhawk Engagement Solutions, the smartphone is the most prevalent Internet device, with 71% of shoppers using one daily.

Smartphone use is followed by laptop, 66%; desktop computer, 50%; and tablet, 43%.
Tanger launches sustainability effort
Greensboro, N.C. – Outlet shopping center operator Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc. is launching new sustainability initiatives for its U.S. locations promoting alternative energy usage.

Among these initiatives is a nationwide electric vehicle (EV) charging network system that will be available at 23 Tanger Outlets locations in the U.S.

Tanger has partnered with ChargePoint Networks to develop and maintain the network providing multiple spaces for EV owners with no added cost.

Papa Murphy’s minds the store

Vancouver, Wash. – Papa Murphy’s Holdings Inc. is minding the store when it comes to marketing. The pizza chain has signed an agreement with marketing execution firm InnerWorkings Inc. to strengthen the impact of its point-of-purchase printed marketing materials and branded merchandise at the its more than 1,400 locations across the U.S.
Wal-Mart dares Amazon comparison

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is not backing down in its challenge to the upcoming July 15 Amazon “Prime Day” event. One day after reducing the minimum online purchase for free shipping from $50 to $35 and reducing prices on thousands of online items, Wal-Mart is going a step further and guaranteeing it will offer lower prices than Amazon.
Target crosses channels to meet school shopper needs

Minneapolis – One way Target is trying to make shopping for school supplies hassle-free is with the School List Assist online hub. Currently in beta, School List Assist offers a curated assortment of the most common K-8 supplies on the list. Parents can purchase the school supplies their kids need and then pick them up in store or have them shipped to their homes.
E-tailers top YouGov Brand Index in U.S.

London - Two e-tailers, Amazon.com and Netflix, are the respective number one and two ranked brands in the U.S., according to the mid-year Brand Index from consumer research firm YouGov. Social video platform is the number three brand in the index, meaning the top three is made up of brands that focus on services delivered through the Internet.
Tech Guest Viewpoint: Optimize CRM with Omnichannel Approach

Now more than ever, today’s consumers want to be treated as individuals rather than a market. No matter which channel is used to interact with brands, some level of personalization is expected. Whether it’s online, mobile or in a brick-and-mortar store, customers want a shopping experience tailored to their specific needs and preferences.
Lids looks to optimize in-store ops, enhance shopping experience

Chicago -- Specialty retailer Lids has selected ShopperTrak to measure in-store traffic and provide customer behavior insights for Lids and Locker Room by Lids stores.
Comcast’s new Xfinity store format is heavy on interactivity, engagement

Chicago -- Comcast and experience design firm ESI Design have created Studio Xfinity, a retail environment where play, technology, and entertainment combine to create an engaging and fully integrated customer experience.
Good news for retailers in ICSC’s back-to-school shopping survey

New York -- There was good news for retailers in the International Council of Shopping Centers’ annual BTS (Back-to-School) Consumer Spending Survey.

The survey revealed that the share of consumers expecting to spend more this year increased significantly year-over-year to 67%, compared to 50% of shoppers in 2014 and 39% who expected to increase spending in 2013.
Sears names Gymboree executive as president

With its stock trading at a 52-week low, Sears has made an interesting choice to lead its department store business.

The company says it has found a new executive to develop a strategy for the Sears format that focuses on meeting the needs of the Shop Your Way member.
A new chapter begins for book retailer

With Amazon.com’s share price approaching $500 on the heels of a highly publicized 20th anniversary promotional event, the struggling Books-A-Million chain announced a deal to go private for a paltry sum.

The Books-A-Million chain was always a distant competitor to the likes of Barnes & Noble and even the now defunct Borders chain. Then along came Amazon.com and Books-A-Million grew more irrelevant. As its sales and profits declined so did its growth prospects in the eyes of investors and its stock price.