Data & Analytics

Conn’s beats Street with Q1 profit; will open 15-18 stores
The Woodlands, Texas – Conn’s Inc. managed to beat Wall Street expectations with a 44% net income slide in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. Net income fell to $15.7 million from $28.5 million the same quarter a year earlier, with costs related to store closures, relocations and legal and professional fees contributing.
Verizon stresses supply chain IT security
New York – When it comes to supply chain security, most retailers are diligent about things like locking up warehouses and vehicles. But when it comes to securing technology used to manage supply chain operations, retailer diligence often trails off.

Office Depot introduces Apple Watch app

Boca Raton, Fla. - Office Depot Inc. is launching a new free Office Depot app for Apple Watch. Features include: voice-activated search for products, an ink and toner finder, and an Office Depot and OfficeMax retail store locator.

The new app also provides voice-activated product search, ink level checks of Wifi-enabled HP computers, and daily deals.
Lowe’s subsidiary boosts conversions with product videos

New York - ATGStores.com, an independent, wholly owned subsidiary of Lowe’s, has increased conversions by 14% with customized product videos from Treepodia. This represents a 5.5 times ROI based on the increase in sales.

ATGStores.com carries a selection of lighting, furniture, hardware, plumbing and home décor. The retailer had created its own “how-to-videos” to help customers with their own projects but wanted to create product videos on a large scale.
The most important metric in e-commerce

Online, as in stores, conversion is king when it comes to driving top line sales, which is why digital marketing services firm eClerx has developed a conversion rate optimization (CRO) solution that addresses online retailers’ most pressing problem.
Dollar General's growth strategy paying off

Strong sales of tobacco products, candy and snacks helped drive Dollar General's same-store sales up nearly 4% in the first quarter as the company celebrates its 12,000th store opening this month.
Lands' End to offer curated collections

As more retailers look to offer curated merchandise to shoppers, Lands' End has launched a new microsite allowing customers to shop products selected by "guest editors".
Profit at Conn's drops 44%

Sales and credit delinquencies weighed on Conn's Inc. in the first quarter even as the company continues to explore the sale of its loan portfolio.
Toys“R”Us names new CEO

The architect of the reinvention of Domino's Pizza will become the next CEO of Toys"R"Us in July.

David A. Brandon will succeed Antonio Urcelay, as he is retiring from the company.

Brandon, 63, has deep experience in growing businesses, developing talent and building high-performance cultures that enable organizations to create and capture value.
Wolverine World Wide veteran joins Neiman Marcus as COO/CFO

A Wolverine World Wide executive is joining the Neiman Marcus Group as executive VP, COO and CFO.
Justice still dragging down sales at Ascena

The struggling Justice brand and the West Coast port dispute held back Ascena Retail Group Inc. in the third quarter as the company awaits its acquisition of Ann Inc. to close later in 2015.
NRF economist: Brighter days ahead

New York -- The chief economist for the National Retail Federation on Monday released his Monthly Economic Review and the good news is that the gloomy economic indicators seen during the first half of the year will give way to brighter opportunities for economic growth during second half of year.