Data & Analytics

Ahold USA first quarter sales were up 4% to $8.2 billion. Excluding gas, sales increased 4.1% at constant exchange rates. The addition of 25 A&P stores in the New York Metro market in fourth quarter 2015 was the main contributor to the overall sales growth and resulted in an overall market share improvement in both dollars and volume, Ahold reported.

Galeries Lafayette Group is the latest retail entity to launch its own tech accelerator program.

The French specialty retail conglomerate, which operates the Galeries Lafayette, BHV Marais, Royal Quartz, Louis Pion and Didier Guérin banners, is partnering with Silicon Valley-based technology accelerator and venture fund Plug and Play in the effort. The three-month program aims to develop an integrated platform to assist startups focused on the fashion and retail sectors. It will include access to venture capitalists, mentors, and Fortune 500 companies.

J.C. Penney Co. said Wednesday it is proposing to refinance a $2.25 billion senior secured term loan, and to extend the maturity of the loan, which is currently set at May 2018. The transaction is expected to be complete in June.

Penney also reported positive same-store sales for its quarter-to-date through Memorial Day.
 

Incorrect fit is costing retailers billions of dollars — literally.
   
In 2015, $62.4 billion worth of global apparel and footwear purchases were returned due to incorrect sizing, according to a survey by digital body analysis technology provider Body Labs.

The survey found that that 23% of all clothing gets returned, with 64% of respondents claiming “incorrect fit” as the major reason for the return. And 77% of respondents who prefer shopping online stated that poor fit is the biggest reason for returning clothing.

Retailers are not feeling confident that their pricing strategies are satisfying consumers.
 
A new report on pricing conducted by RSR Research and sponsored by retail consulting and analytics firm Precima, “Pricing 2016: Life Becomes Unmanageable,” reveals retailers are worrying that consumers do not believe they are priced competitively enough.
 

It’s been a long time, but Rite Aid Corp. is opening a new distribution center.

Located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the facility is the company’s first new distribution center in 16 years. Rite Aid is currently awaiting regulatory approval for a proposed $17.2 billion merger with Walgreens Boots Alliance.

Chip Wilson, the founder of Lululemon Athletica Inc., is not one to mince words.

Wilson, the company’s largest shareholder with a 14.2% stake, on Wednesday issued an open letter to investors in which he sharply criticized the apparel retailer’s management, calling its competence “uninspiring at best.” He called for annual election of the board to hold members accountable for Lululemon’s performance.

A cold spring helped dampen sales and earnings at one of the nation’s leading apparel companies.
 
Ascena Retail, whose brands include Ann Taylor, Loft, Lane Bryant, Catherines, Justice and Dressbarn, reported profit of $15 million in the third quarter, ended April 23, down from $24 million in the year-ago period.