Data & Analytics

Sally Beauty confirms second data breach in year
Denton, Texas – It’s official: Sally Beauty Holdings Inc. has experienced its second data breach in the span of a year. Sally Beauty confirmed an “illegal intrusion” into its payment card systems has occurred in a posting on the retailer’s website.

Sally Beauty did not specify when the intrusion took place or what or how much customer data was compromised. The retailer initially announced it was investigating a possible data breach earlier this month.
Children’s Place grows profit, shrinks sales in Q1
Secaucus, N.J. – A reduction in cost of sales helped The Children’s Place Inc. boost net income 15% to $15.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 from $13.6 million in the same quarter a year earlier. The Children’s Place achieved this increase in profitability even as net sales dropped 1% to $404.9 million, from $410.15 million.

Negative impact of foreign currency exchange fluctuations drove the reduction in net sales. Same-store sales rose 0.7%.

Roundy’s cuts net loss in Q1, will open five stores

Milwaukee – A sharp reduction in loss from continuing operations, primarily related to the sale of the Rainbow banner to Supervalu, helped Roundy’s Inc. cut net loss to $2.33 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, from $4.52 million the same quarter a year earlier. Net sales rose 14% to $981.93 million from $862.69 million, while same-store sales dropped 1.6%.
Survey: Millennials, men receptive to mobile payment

Allentown, Pa. – Mobile payment is growing, and Millennials and men may be leading the way. According to a recent survey of 1,000 U.S. adults by Harbortouch examining the current state of mobile payment adoption shows that Millennials were the highest percentage of mobile payment users, with nearly 42% falling into that demographic.

In addition, men are twice as likely to use some form of mobile payment compared to women. Of those surveyed who aren't currently using mobile payments, 20% blame payment-related issues.
Denny’s cooks up supply chain optimization

Spartanburg, S.C. - Denny's Corp. is cooking up something good on the back end. The casual dining chain has chosen Havi Global Solutions LLC (HGS) as its lead supplier of supply chain and packaging solutions.
Kohl’s Q1 profit tops forecast, misses on sales

Menomonee Falls, Wis. – Kohl’s Corp. exceeded Wall Street expectations for profit but missed analysts’ expectations with its sales and same-store sales performance during a mixed first quarter of fiscal 2015.

Net income climbed 2% to $127 million from $125 million in the year-earlier period, aided by improved expense management.
H&M expects 4,000 global stores, 400-plus U.S. stores by end of 2015

New York – Fast-fashion retailer H&M estimates that it will continue to expand annually at a rate of 10% to 15%, which would take the U.S. store count to more than 400 and the total store count to almost 4,000 stores by the end of the year.

During 2015, the Swedish retailer has thus far announced it will open 61 stores, including the Herald Square flagship in New York City, which will become the largest H&M in the world when it opens on May 20.
Sales growth weak at Kohl's in Q1

Kohl’s couldn't combat weak consumer spending in the first quarter despite launching a loyalty program and new advertising initiatives.

Kevin Mansell, Kohl's chairman, chief executive officer and president, said: "Sales were modestly below our original expectations for the quarter, but accelerated in the March/April combined period after a weak February. We are very pleased with our earnings results, with a more balanced promotional calendar driving merchandise margin combined with strong expense control."
Walmart to debut Amazon Prime-like service

Walmart is reportedly testing an unlimited shipping service that could undercut Amazon Prime.
Online sales up, profit down at Nordstrom

Strong growth in its e-commerce divisions couldn't lift profits at Nordstrom Inc., which reported a drop in earnings for the first quarter.

For the period ended May 2, Nordstrom reported a profit of $128 million, or 66 cents a share, down from $140 million, or 72 cents a share, a year earlier. The retailer also reported that Nordstrom.com and Nordstromrack.com had a combined 70% increase in sales in the first quarter.
J.C. Penney cuts Q1 loss; goes on offensive to ‘gain back market share’

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. topped analysts estimates for the first quarter, reporting a smaller-than-expected loss. Declaring its intent to become the “preferred shopping choice for middle America” and gain back market share, the company also raised its outlook for the year.

Penney posted a loss of $167 million in the quarter ended May 2, compared with a net loss of $352 million in the year-ago period.
REI now powered by 100% renewable energy

Seattle -- REI has met its commitment to be powered by 100% renewable energy through energy efficiency, solar generation, long-term renewable energy contracts, and renewable energy certificates (RECs). That’s just one of the findings in the outdoor retailer’s 2014 Stewardship Report.