Data & Analytics

Whole Foods targets Millennials with new store concept
Whole Foods Market set another sales record in the second quarter – but that’s not enough for the grocery chain, which announced it is launching a new store concept targeted to the Millennial shopper.
Study assesses mobile, wearable tech impact on retail
New York -- Thirty percent of consumers either own or plan to buy a wearable device in the next 12 months, and 34% of those consumers want wearable technology to make their lives easier – and that includes shopping. Those are among the findings of a new study by PowerReviews, a ratings and reviews provider.

Build-A-Bear Workshop posts mixed Q1; opening store in Empire State Building

St. Louis -- Build-A-Bear Workshop said its total revenue fell 5% in the first quarter amid harsh winter weather between Valentine’s Day and Easter in North America.

The chain’s profit for the quarter, ended March 29, totaled a better-than-expected $8.3 million, compared with from $5.1 million in the year-ago period.

Total revenues were $93.4 million, less than expected, compared to $97.9 million in year-ago period. Revenue was also negatively impacted by fiscal 2014 having a 53rd week, the company said.
Report: Global beauty sales on verge of explosive growth

New York -- Global beauty sales, already a nearly $400 billion market, is on the verge of explosive growth from emerging markets, but will see an industry in flux as consolidation and technology disrupt channels of distribution, according to Fung Business Intelligence Centre’s just-released Global Beauty Report.
Israeli firm Aimee Soft joins O Alliance Network

New York -- Aimee Soft, a Tel Aviv-based software company, has become an affiliate member of The O Alliance, adding a service that helps brands identify products most likely to result in online transactions.
Billabong taps NetSuite to power omnichannel strategy

New York -- NetSuite Inc., a provider of cloud-based financials, ERP and and omnichannel software suites, said that boardsports retailer Billabong International Ltd. selected NetSuite SuiteCommerce to help transform customer interaction with its brands through the implementation of a new global omnichannel platform.

The platform will be progressively rolled out across the retailer to provide a true omnichannel experience across its wholesale, retail and ecommerce operations.
Retail Properties of America acquires community center in Tysons Corner

Oak Brook, Ill. -- Retail Properties of America announced that it has closed on the off-market acquisition of a 38,000-sq.-ft. community center located in Tysons Corner, which is in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore corridor.

Recently renovated in 2012, the property is anchored by Golfsmith and shadow-anchored by Best Buy. It is also supported by national fast-causal restaurant offerings including Chipotle, Chick-fil-A and Roti. The property was purchased off-market for approximately $31.6 million.
Office Depot meets Q1 profit forecasts, misses on sales

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot Inc. on Tuesday reported a first-quarter net profit of $45 million, compared with a loss of $109 million in the year-ago period. Its results met analysts’ expectations.

The office supply retailer said excluding non-recurring items, including costs associated with the planned acquisition of Office Depot by Staples Inc. adjusted earnings per share were 13 cents, matching the FactSet consensus.
Ikea goes live with Kansas’ largest rooftop solar array

Merriam, Kansas -- Ikea announced it had officially plugged-in Kansas’ largest rooftop solar array, atop its recently opened store in Merriam. The 92,000-sq.-ft. solar array consists of a 730.17-kW DC system, comprised of 2,394 panels, and will produce approximately 986,800 kWh of electricity annually for the store, the equivalent of reducing 680 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).
Office Depot, Sears and Groupon sign on with Boomerang Commerce

Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Boomerang Commerce, a provider of omnichannel pricing technology, announced that Office Depot, Sears, and Groupon have deployed Boomerang’s Price Perception Index and rapid pricing testing platform.

Boomerang enables revenue growth and protects margins by rapidly analyzing, testing and deploying smart pricing, inventory and assortment strategies.

In addition, Boomerang unveiled two executive hires to help scale the team and the company’s global sales and marketing efforts.
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.