Data & Analytics

Framingham, Mass. -- Expect renewed investment in the transformative capabilities of PLM and sourcing, marketing and advertising, and big data and analytics according to IDC Retail Insights, which on Tuesday released its Top 10 Predictions for 2014.

Here are the IT consulting company’s top 10 predictions for 2014:

1. In 2014, fast-followers will chase the 50 global retailers already transforming store, mobile, and e-commerce channels, supply chains, merchandising, and marketing for the omni-channel customer experience

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores named David Cheesewright, 51, as the new president and CEO of Walmart International. He succeeds Douglas McMillon, who is set to become the chain’s CEO, the retailer's top executive. Both assume their new roles on Feb. 1, 2014.

Toano, Va. – Lumber Liquidators has raised its full year 2013 outlook. Based on year-to-date results and current trends, the company now expects net sales in the range of $994 million to $1 billion, up from a previous range of $985 million to $995 million, with the fourth quarter ranging from $252 million to $258 million.

Lumber Liquidators also expects to open a total of 29-30 new stores during 2013 and increase net store sales 15% to 16%, up from a previous range of 14% to 15%, with the fourth quarter ranging from 13% to 15%.

Walldorf, Germany – SAP is releasing the new InfiniteInsight solution. Based on patented automation technology from KXEN, an SAP company, the solution is designed to provide businesses the ability to deploy predictive analytics across the enterprise.

Capabilities of SAP InfiniteInsight include analytical data sets for predictive modeling, automated modeling, optimized scoring equations, and factory capability for model refreshes as needed.

Retailers and manufacturers targeting Gen X and Y shoppers this holiday season should introduce more transparency into their product labels and identify fair trade, conflict-free and environmentally friendly practices.

Results of a new survey by KPMG LLP reveal that nearly 70% of consumers younger than age 30 consider social issues such as sustainability, human rights and fair trade before making a purchase. This outpaces the fewer than 50% of consumers overall who feel the same way.

We are all susceptible to media hype, and to established narratives, so it’s easy to miss important details in the growing chaos and chatter that surrounds Black Friday each year. We see big crowds and big bargains and a holiday shopping event that used to be a day now morphing into a brick-and-mortar and online extravaganza that lasts more than a week. That said, we should be asking what is really going on behind the scenes — and behind the numbers — and what does that mean for retailers for the rest of the holiday shopping season?

San Francisco -- Shopper traffic and window conversion improved significantly as heavy promotions brought shoppers back out to the mall. According to analysis of nearly 25 million domestic shopping sessions during November 2013 by in-store analytics provider Euclid, average visit durations were shorter than a year ago for the fourth month in a row as the increasingly omni-channel marketplace continued to drive more focused shopping trips.

By Alex Brown, CEO, 10th Magniture

I certainly don’t have to tell you that the 2013 holiday retail season is upon us, since you’ve probably had to plan your technology all year to handle the imminent spikes in in-store and online traffic. And, in just a couple of weeks, you’ll start planning your technology budget for 2014’s holiday season.