Data & Analytics

The risk associated with a possible security breach claimed the top spot for the first time ever in an annual ranking of the top 25 risk factors by retailers. Security risks shared the top spot with general economic conditions, which have remained tied at the top since 2013.

As a rural lifestyle retailer, Brentwood, Tennessee-based Tractor Supply Co. knows a thing or two about using good old fashioned common sense and initiative to get things done. So when it came time for the 1,530-unit chain to prepare itself for a long-term goal of operating 2,500 stores (at growth of 100-120 locations per year), Tractor Supply took a fundamental approach.

Macy’s on Wednesday reported its fifth consecutive decline in same-store sales, and announced plans to improve its performance, from new product launches to more off-price shops. The nation’s largest department retailer also reduced its sales and earnings guidance for the year. Similar to many retailers, Macy’s is challenged by an overall retail environment marked by sluggish traffic, increased competition and cautious consumers.

It’s a sobering statistic: North American retailers lose $158.5 billion annually to supplier issues. Out of stocks cause 4.1 percent in lost revenue, according to retailwire.com; just as troubling, overstocks result in 3.2 percent in lost revenue for the average retailer. Retailers continue to refine their compliance programs to strike the right balance of inventory and meeting higher consumer service standards.

Wayfair Inc. is turning inward to give shoppers a new view of its wares.

When it comes to payments, cash and cards still reign supreme. But one digital alternative is not far behind. Those are among the key findings of a new study, “How America Pays,” by Blackhawk Network, that surveyed more than 1,000 Americans in March 2016 to examine preferences for traditional and emerging payments tools and the role payments play in consumers’ purchasing decisions.

The initiative is a three-year project that entails installing 3,600 York packaged rooftop units (Predator series) to maximize energy savings through more efficient HVAC equipment at stores eight years or older. The York rooftop units feature energy-saving technologies including variable-speed drives, California Title 24-compliant economizers and new energy recovery ventilators (ERV) specifically designed for retailers.

Many of the roughly 100,000 average daily visitors to the Mall of America arrive with an expectation of being able to access the Internet via a fast and free Wi-Fi network. Living up to that expectation required the expansive property to rely on several key partners. When Mall of America decided it was time to offer free Wi-Fi for its 40 million annual guests, it turned to Garland, Texas-based AmpThink to design, build and manage the high density wireless network running on Cisco hardware throughout the 5.6 million square foot mall.