Data & Analytics

Aerosoles to create integrated online storefront, mobile, call center
New York -- Footwear retailer and manufacturer Aerosoles has teamed with Digital Management Inc. to enhance its website and deploy an advanced, feature-rich, secure e-commerce website with Responsive Web Design for mobile optimization.

The mobile-optimized e-commerce website and call center are fully integrated with the DMI Order Management System, which synchs with store and warehouse locations for fulfillment.
Japan’s MUJI Department Stores installs NCR’s new self-checkout concept
New York -- NCR announced that its SelfServ 90 will be deployed by Ryohin Keikaku Co, Ltd. in Japan. The pilot implementation for MUJI department stores marks the first installation of NCR self-checkout technology in a non-grocery environment in Japan. Additional deployments are expected for its high-traffic locations inside terminal buildings and metro areas, as well as other stand-alone locations. The MUJI store in Yurakucho, Japan is the site of the initial installation.

Holiday sales jump 5.2% at Belk

Strong e-commerce growth and omnichannel contributed to a healthy holiday shopping sales season at Belk.

The nation’s largest family owned and operated fashion department store company reported a 5.2% increase in sales for the nine-week period ending Jan. 3. Same store sales for the same period increased by 4.8%.
Investment exec joins Macy's board

A Maryland real estate investing executive has been elected to Macy's Inc.'s board of directors.

Leslie Hale, executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer of RLJ Lodging Trust, is Macy's 12th director.
NRF: Outline of 2015’s retail priorities

New York -- NRF president Matthew Shay told attendees of retail’s Big Show in New York City this week that the industry is well positioned for 2015 – with support from Washington, D.C.
Obama: With tech advances come privacy risks for U.S.

Washington, D.C. -- President Barack Obama on Monday proposed strengthening laws against identity theft, described as a growing problem that costs billions of dollars. Part of Obama’s proffered solution is requiring notification when consumer information is hacked.
Survey: Consumers want Internet of Everything-enabled retail experiences

New York -- The digital consumer has come of age, and a new survey by Cisco revealed that retail consumers in the U.S. prefer Internet of Everything (IoE) enabled retail experiences.
Survey: Retailers’ top IT priority is payment security

Boston -- Survey results released by Boston Retail Partners found that the top IT priority for retailers in 2015 is focused on improving payment security, and protecting the confidentiality of sensitive information.

For the first time in 16 years, more than 63% of the retail respondents in the BRP 2015 POS/Customer Engagement Benchmarking Survey indicated that payment security is among their top priorities for 2015.
Express finishes holiday strong; raises profit forecasts

Columbus, Ohio -- Express is lifting its fourth-quarter and full-year profit forecasts, citing a better-than-expected performance at the end of December and beginning of January.

CEO Michael Weiss said that Express Inc. experienced slowing sales during the first three weeks of December, but that its performance has bounced back since.

Fourth-quarter same-store sales are now predicted to fall 3%-4%; Express previously forecast a mid to high single-digit decline in the figure.
Tiffany’s holiday sales disappoint; cuts full-year outlook

New York -- Tiffany's holiday sales dipped 1% and the luxury jewelry retailer cut its full-year profit outlook. CEO Michael Kowalski said that sales in the Americas fell slightly during November and December, while sales in Japan remained soft. Sales in the Asia-Pacific region and in Europe climbed.
GameStop to stream video game content to mobile devices

New York -- GameStop announced that it will be an early adopter of the Microsoft Azure cloud platform, becoming one of the first retailers to use Azure to stream video game and promotional content direct to customer and store associate mobile devices.
Heinen’s and Symphony team on customer analytics and loyalty management solution

New York -- Grocer Heinen’s has teamed with Symphony EYC to adopt customer-driven retailing operations that stretch from shopper, throughout the store and back to the warehouse.