Data & Analytics

Canadian Tire opens second digital innovation lab; plans new store
Toronto - Canadian Tire Corp. is opening its new “'Digital Garage” in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, in Canada's “Silicon Valley North.” The new facility is the second digital innovation lab for Canadian Tire, situated near its Communitech lab, and will allow the company's top digital innovators to develop new in-store and online technologies at a faster pace.
Macy's, Rite Aid now offer Plenti more rewards
Macy’s and Rite Aid are joining the other major retailers and companies that have partnered with Plenti, the first U.S.-based loyalty coalition that allows shoppers to earn rewards points through a variety of purchases, from paying a phone bill to filling up at the pump.

Same store sales increase at Hancock Fabrics

Hancock Fabrics’s CEO says the company is “heading in the right direction” after reporting an increase in same store sales for the fourth quarter.

The financial news comes just a few weeks after the retailer announced the refinancing of the company’s existing senior debt under a new credit agreement with Wells Fargo Capital Finance and Great American Capital Partners.
Study: Confidence in chip and pin cards lacking

Only 53% of executives believe the EMV chip and pin will protect against a data breach, despite claims that it is more secure, according to a new study.
Survey: Consumer confidence surged in Q1

Shopper sentiment surged in the first quarter of 2015 amid optimism over the labor market, job stability, personal finances and gas prices, according to a new survey.
Weis Markets sales jump on in-store efforts

Weis Markets says its customer experience strategy is paying off, as the grocery chain credited the effort with its increase in same store sales in the first quarter.
ChannelAdvisor names new CEO

ChannelAdvisor Corp. has promoted its current chief operating officer to CEO.

The provider of cloud-based e-commerce solutions announced that its board of directors has appointed David Spitz as CEO and a director. Spitz, who currently serves as president and COO, succeeds Scot Wingo, who has been appointed executive chairman.
O’Reilly posts strong Q1, on pace for 205 net new stores in 2015

New York -- O’Reilly Automotive posted a strong first quarter, laying the foundation for continued growth in 2015. America’s second largest retailer in the automotive aftermarket industry said its expansion plans are on track after profit rose in the first quarter on higher sales and better margins, continuing a trend of 15% or greater profit growth for the past six years. The company said it plans to build a new distribution center in Texas to help support its 205 new stores in 2015.
Study: Shoppers ‘creeped out’ by in-store identifying, tracking features

San Francisco -- Shoppers think it is cool to get digital help finding relevant products and information – and navigating the store, according to a study by RichRelevance. But they are creeped out by digital capabilities that identify, track and use location and demographics, such as targeted advertisements based on facial recognition. In addition, the dressing room is the one area where personalized product information and recommendations are not welcome.
Jet.com prepares for takeoff

Hoboken, N.J. – Amazon.com may be hoping to fly high with drone-based deliveries, but a rival e-commerce platform is also planning to take off soon. Jet.com, a subscription-based e-commerce site that hopes to compete with the Amazon Prime membership service using “profit-free” pricing, promises to launch soon.
Tuesday Morning names president/COO; posts Q3 loss

Dallas – Tuesday Morning Corp. has promoted Melissa Phillips, who currently serves as executive VP and general merchandise manager, to the newly created position of president and COO. In this role, Phillips will be directly responsible for merchandising, store operations and marketing, and will report directly to CEO Michael Rouleau.
Prescriptions, pharmacy benefit management propel CVS Health in Q1

Woonsocket, R.I. - CVS Health showed vitality in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. The retailer beat expectations in areas such as earnings per share (EPS) and pharmacy benefit management (PBM) operating profit.