Data & Analytics

Children’s Place selects Quantum Analytics for Size and Pack
Minneapolis -- Quantum Retail Technology, a provider of merchandise optimization and inventory solutions for retail, announced that The Children's Place has selected Quantum's Q Analytics for Size and Pack Optimization. The solution joins The Children's Place's implementation of Quantum's Q for Allocation and Replenishment, due to go live this year, and their planned implementation of Quantum's Q for Order Planning.
Caruso Affiliated names new digital marketing executive
Los Angeles — Privately held real estate development company Caruso Affiliated, has named Chris Baccus to senior VP, digital marketing. Baccus will lead digital strategy for various Caruso brands across all digital platforms, including SEO/CRM, digital advertising, social media and the entire company’s Web and mobile assets, reporting to chief marketing and communications officer Judy Johnson.

Smart & Final Stores posts Q1 profit; 16 new stores on tap

Commerce, Calif. -- Smart & Final Stores Inc. reported earnings of $4.9 million in its first quarter, compared with a profit of $2.5 million last year. Revenue for the period ended March 22 rose 11.9% to $822.2 million. Same-store sales climbed 6.1%.

"The year is off to a strong start, with Smart & Final Stores delivering against our business plans and financial objectives," said Dave Hirz, president and CEO.
Office Depot profit rises despite sales decline

Store closures led Office Depot sales to decline in the first quarter, but the retailer still reported a sizable bump in profit.
Metro turns to XCCommerce for omnichannel tune-up

A major Canadian grocery chain has a new partner in its quest to improve its omnichannel capabilties.

Metro Inc. has partnered with XCCommerce Inc. to install XCCommerce’s Promotion Solution Suite in support of Metro’s omnichannel promotion and targeted coupon strategy.
Exclusive: Netsuite CEO envisions retail’s omnichannel future

Omnichannel may not be Netsuite CEO Zach Nelson’s favorite word, but that didn’t stop him from using it extensively and sharing a vision of what it means during the cloud commerce leader’s annual SuiteWorld conference.
GE Lighting, Qualcomm to transform store experience with connected lighting

East Cleveland, Ohio -- GE Lighting and Qualcomm Atheros, a subsidiary of Qualcomm Inc., have announced a collaboration to bring indoor positioning technology to retailers, allowing the retailers to pinpoint shoppers’ locations and use mobile apps to personalize the in-store experience.
Up-and-coming Aftcra practices art of online craft sales

Milwaukee – A lot of pure-play e-commerce retailers have interesting origin stories. According to (dubious) legend, eBay started as a way to buy and sell collectible Pez candy dispensers. Aftcra, an online marketplace for American handmade products, has a verifiable tale of its roots fitting its all-American product selection.
Commentary: Possible Data Breach at Sally Beauty Holdings

By Ken Westin, Tripwire

For the second time in a year, Sally Beauty Holdings, which owns U.S. Sally Beauty stores, is currently investigating reports of unusual activity involving payment cards used at some of their stores.
ADA: Five Need-to-Know Updates for Retailers & Restaurants

By Kevin Hughes, JLL

1. Keep Your Options — And Doors — Open: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is designed to prohibit discrimination and ensure equal opportunity for people with disabilities. In effect since 1991, it has undergone updates, affecting most commercial real estate in some fashion. In fact, all commercial spaces used by the public – as well as many employee-use areas – are required by law to comply with ADA regulations.
Sally Beauty investigates unusual card activity

Denton, Texas - Sally Beauty Holdings Inc. has announced it is currently investigating reports of unusual activity involving payment cards used at some of its Sally Beauty stores in the United States. The retailer reported a security breach that may have exposed fewer than 25,000 customer credit card numbers in 2014; media reports indicate this is a separate incident.
Amex launches loyalty program

New York – American Express is launching a new loyalty program called Plenti. The program lets consumers use loyalty points accrued at one participating retailer and use them at another.

Initial participating organizations include AT&T, Exxon, Macy’s, Mobil, Nationwide, Rite Aid, Direct Energy, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Hulu. The program is expected to include more brands in additional categories over time.