Data & Analytics

U.S. consumers will generate only a lackluster 3.2% year-over-year increase in holiday sales, according to the latest forecast of November-December spending.

Customer Growth Partners’ 15th Annual Holiday Forecast says retail sales for the holiday period will reach $607 billion, a new record, but the anemic 3.2% pace reflects declining median incomes for all but the top 20% of households.

Having two of something is not always better than one, especially when it comes to warehouse management systems.

“We wanted to provide the quickest means to manufacture and fulfill orders in the most cost-effective manner,” said Heather Bothern, manager of SAP applications for Harry & David, during a session at the recent SAP Retail Forum in Miami. “We needed full visibility of all materials in all locations.”

FedEx says a big boost in online shopping will propel its business between Black Friday and Christmas Eve at least 12.4% above 2014 levels.

FedEx expects the holiday period to include three shipment volume spikes: Cyber Monday and the first two Mondays in December.

The company said it was adding 55,000 employees for the holidays to handle the increased demand.

Etsy is getting crafty with its customer service offerings.

The online handmade arts & crafts marketplace is launching a home delivery pilot called Etsy ASAP in the New York market for the holidays. Patterning with on-demand delivery provider Postmates, Etsy ASAP enables same- and next-day delivery from participating sellers in New York City for a flat $20 fee.

With (believe it or not) the holiday season almost upon us, it is time once again to take part in the annual ritual of crystal ball gazing and seasonal sales forecasts.

Moms are now much more likely than ever to complete a purchase via mobile, rather than simply using their devices to compare prices and find coupons.

According to a new infographic from pregnancy and parenting website BabyCenter, in just one year, there has been a 33% increase in moms using their smartphones for making actual purchases. Sixty-four percent of moms say they had completed a purchase via mobile in the last month, in comparison to 48% who said the same in 2014.

Many retailers are still on a quest to offer customers a seamless experience.

Mall owner Westfield Corporation has created a new big data and analytics unit and made a key hire to oversee the important function.

Westfield named Raghav Lal as its new chief data and analytics officer to lead a newly established big data and analytics group that will be responsible for conceptualizing, developing and deploying the company’s data strategy. The move is a significant hiring investment to centralize the company’s wealth of data effectively, efficiently and safely for its customers and retailers alike, Westfield said in a statement.