Data & Analytics

Consumers who rely on mobile coupons when food shopping are much more likely to experiment with new brands.

According to the latest edition of GfK MRI’s “The Survey of the American Consumer,” one in three (33%) U.S. adults agrees completely or somewhat with the statement, “I rely on mobile coupons while food shopping.” And almost half (44%) of these mobile coupon users say they like to “change brands often for the sake of variety and novelty,” compared to just 30% of the general population.

Target announced it is testing an expansion of its Cartwheel app, which launched in 2013. The retailer reported that the app has saved users, in total, $475 million (and counting) to date.

The new feature expands the app to allow for digital coupons from manufacturers that offer a dollar amount discount (rather than a percentage discount).

The service is made possible through a partnership with Quotient (formerly Coupons.com), a third-party provider of digital coupons, according to a report by TechCrunch.

As a retailer of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment, and accessories, O’Reilly Automotive Inc. helps its shoppers customize and tailor their vehicles to individual preferences.

So when the Springfield, Missouri-based chain decided to update its omnichannel customer experience, it realized a highly customizable solution would be needed. O’Reilly has selected the e-commerce platform from Broadleaf Commerce to support seamless marketing and merchandising across its mobile and Web channels, as well as its 4,571 stores in 44 states.

Whether customers at its stores are looking for convenient digital payment or easy access to product and price information, vertical specialty retailer Fossil Group Inc. is uncovering new mobile-enabled store services.

Richardson, Texas-based Fossil has selected in-store technology from Aptos Inc. (formerly Epicor Retail Solutions) including the vendor’s Mobile Store POS application. The company will initially deploy the solution at about 500 of its more than 600 corporate stores.

Retailers looking to keep up with consumer demand for an individualized and seamless customer experience have a new supporting technology option to consider.

Charming Charlie has appointed Ujjwal Dhoot as VP of marketing, based in the specialty retailer’s Los Angeles office.

Dhoot previously served as chief marketing officer for FSAStore.com, responsible for the overall growth strategy, customer acquisition and retention, analytics development and testing for the FSA-eligible products and services shop. Before that, he was VP of marketing at 20x200, an online retailer for limited edition art.

Dhoot also served as VP of marketing at PetCareRx.com.

Walgreens Boots Alliance on Tuesday announced an increase of 13.6% in net sales to $30.2 billion for the second quarter ended Feb. 29, 2016, compared with the same quarter a year ago, largely due to the full consolidation of Alliance Boots for the entire quarter this year. Foreign currency translation adversely impacted sales by approximately $750 million or 2.4%.

Apparently shifts in weather patterns have thrown yet another curve ball to the traditional retail industry.