Data & Analytics

Off-price a winner for Hudson's Bay Company
Saks Off 5th helped its parent, Hudson’s Bay Co., increase same store sales in the first quarter, although the company did report a larger loss.

HBC reported that for the first quarter ended May 2, same store sales increased 2.7%. The company posted a loss of $44 million, compared with a profit of C$176 million, or 97 Canadian cents, a year earlier. Adjusted to exclude restructuring and other items, the loss was C$33 million, up from a comparable C$27 million loss a year earlier. Sales rose 11.7 percent to C$2.07 billion.
Best Buy teaches the young tech leaders of tomorrow
Best Buy is inspiring young people across the country to consider technology careers with summer camp sessions called the Geek Squad Academy.

This grassroots tech experience inspires underserved teens to consider technology careers and help address the nation’s widely anticipated professional labor shortage.

Poll: Cleanliness of facilities matters to consumers

Cincinnati -- Consumers take online reviews seriously — particularly when it comes to reviews about the cleanliness of a business, according to a new Harris Poll conducted by Cintas Corp. The survey revealed that 85% of respondents would not patronize businesses with negative online reviews about the cleanliness of its facilities. Restaurants (75%) ranked at the top of the list of businesses where cleanliness most greatly impacted buying habits.
Amazon to open its fourth fulfillment center in Texas

New York -- Amazon.com is going big in Texas with the announcement that it will open its fourth fulfillment center in the state.

The new 500,000-sq.-ft., which is currently under construction, will be located at the northeast corner of Interstate 45 and Interstate 20 in Dallas and will bring about 500 new jobs to the area when the facility opens early in 2016. It will process smaller items, such as books, electronics and consumer goods.
Kohl’s seamlessly engages customers with enhanced app

Menomonee Falls, Wis. – Kohl’s “Greatness” Agenda is not named lightly. The enterprise-spanning strategy is designed to make the company America’s most engaging retailer by providing a convenient customer experience across all channels. Considering the ever-growing importance of the mobile channel as an omnichannel engagement tool, it is not surprising that Kohl’s is focusing on its mobile app as a key enabler of greatness.
Survey: Shoplifting apprehensions up 7.4% in 2014

Wesley Chapel, Fla. -- More than1.2 million shoplifters and dishonest employees were apprehended in 2014 by just 25 large retailers who recovered over $225 million from these thieves, according to the 27th Annual Retail Theft Survey conducted by loss prevention and inventory shrinkage control consulting firm Jack L. Hayes International. The participants were made up 25 large retail companies with 23,250 stores and over $700 billion in retail sales (2014).
Retail Rap: Half Foods?

When Whole Foods Market announced in May that it planned to open a new chain of stores offering a lower price point and specifically targeting millennials, it’s safe to say that the reaction from industry analysts and observers was underwhelming. Responses have ranged from confusion to outright skepticism, and there is a general sense of uncertainty surrounding the whole enterprise.
Facebook expands Place Tips, adds free beacons

Menlo Park, Calif. – Facebook is expanding the availability of its Place Tips in-store mobile promotion service, and also expanding Place Tips’ reach with free Bluetooth Low Energy beacons. Facebook initially launched a trial of Place Tips in January 2015 and is now rolling it out nationwide.
Study: Retailers lose $1.1 trillion in global inventory distortion

Franklin, Tenn. – Retailers lose $1.1 trillion worldwide due to inventory distortion. According to new research from IHL Group, by fixing problems such as out-of-stocks and excess inventory from overstocks, retailers could improve their revenues by 7.5%.

The combined cost of poor merchandise planning alone equals $452 billion. Inventory distortion costs retailers nearly $158 for every person on the planet, and $252.2 billion annually in North America. The Asia/Pacific region contributes 39% of all inventory distortion.
Food Lion enhances e-commerce site with customer feedback

Salisbury, N.C. – Food Lion has launched a new, enhanced website focused on easing the process of shopping for and preparing dinner. The new website, built on customer feedback, offers shoppers a personalized experience when they log in.
Christopher & Banks swings to Q1 loss; will open 15 stores

Minneapolis – Christopher & Banks Corp. swung to a net loss of $1.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to net income of $2.6 million the same quarter a year earlier. Total costs and expenses exceed net sales of $91.62 million, which was an 11 % drop from $103.37 million, while same-store sales dropped 11.7%.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2015, Christopher & Banks expects to open one new Missy, Petite, Women (MPW) and 14 new outlet stores, and also close one CB store and convert seven others to MPW stores.
Walgreens launches video competition

Deerfield, Ill. - Walgreens is collaborating with the new social competition app Challenged to challenge customers to bring their best summer beauty tip to life in a 12-second video using either Circa Beauty or Nonie Creme Colour Prevails products. Beauty expert Lauria Locsmondy of the Walgreens Social and Content creative team will judge the top 3 "viewed" Beauty Challenge videos submitted based on use of Circa and/or Colour Prevails items as primary component of the look, clear steps to achieve the look, and summer-relevant look.