Data & Analytics

Survey – More than half of holiday shoppers finish last-minute
Austin, Texas - More than half (56%) of Christmas shoppers surveyed typically have gifts left to purchase by the time "Panic Saturday,” the last Saturday to shop for holiday gifts before Christmas (also referred to as "Super Saturday"), rolls around. According to a new consumer survey from digital offers site RetailMeNot, nearly one in 5 (18%) Christmas shoppers surveyed admit that they've actually waited until the Saturday before Christmas to begin shopping for presents.
Study – Retail sector to add 30,000 jobs by end of year
San Leandro, Calif. - The U.S. retail sector will add nearly 30,000 jobs through the end of December as the country heads into a strong holiday shopping season. According to a study from HR services provider TriNet, recent job growth in the U.S. retail sector is built on positive consumer confidence, increasing retail spending, and positive job market outlook.

Phillips Edison names VP of tax

Cincinnati – Retail real estate services provider Phillips Edison & Company has named Thomas L. Drake, CPA to the role of VP of tax. In his new role, Drake will be responsible for leading all aspects of the tax functions for the organization.
Survey – Small discounts prompt in-store pickups

Toronto, Canada - Today’s consumers increasingly shop online with home delivery, eliminating a valuable trip to the store where they can be enticed to make additional purchases. However, a LoyaltyOne survey of 1,000 American consumers indicates a discount on the online purchase for picking up in store (as has been experimented with by Target and Best Buy) will encourage a majority of customers to select that option.
PetSmart agrees to $8.7 billion buyout

Phoenix – PetSmart Inc. has agreed to be purchased for about $8.7 billion by a consortium of buyers led by private equity firm B.C. Partners and also including pension fund manager La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and private equity firm StepStone. The total figure represents an acquisition price of $83 per share, a 39% premium over PetSmart’s closing price on July 2, 2014.
Marketplaces outstrip digital growth in November

Online sales at third party marketplaces grew faster than the overall industry, according to cloud-based e-commerce solutions provider ChannelAdvisor.

The digital measurement firm reports that November was a mixed month for e-commerce channels. But Amazon, Google Shopping and Other 3PMs (third party marketplaces) grew materially faster than the 16% e-commerce baseline growth rate comScore had predicted.

Specifically, ChannelAdvisor reports:
PetSmart fetches buyer for $8.7 billion

After weeks of exploring “strategic alternatives,” PetSmart has agreed to be acquired for about $8.7 billion by a consortium led by London-based BC Partners.

"We are pleased to have reached this agreement with BC Partners, which maximizes value for all of our shareholders and best positions PetSmart to continue to meet the needs of pet parents," said Gregory Josefowicz, chairman of PetSmart. "This transaction represents the successful conclusion of our extensive review of strategic alternatives."
Macy’s help customers protect digital privates

Consumers looking to keep a tight grip on their most private possessions may want to check out a new high-tech collection launching at Macy's.

The store will be selling Royce Leather handbags, wallets and briefcases integrated with fingerprint technology, RFID blocking technology, and GPS technology. In particular, the Royce Leather Freedom Briefcase will be the world's first security bag with DNA-based fingerprint technology. The briefcase enables a single user to access the bag, demonstrating the ultimate in personal and travel security.
Insights: Why Retailers Should Act Now to Re-evaluate their Private Label Cards

By Hemal Nagarsheth and Ramesh Siromani Consumers view the “right” payment method, (accessing points, discounts, and special offers,) as a critical part of the purchase process – good news for branded private label cards which allow retailers to cultivate loyalty, improve operating results, and gain sustainable competitive advantage.
Walmart, Kroger, and Target among chains working with University of Florida team to curtail shoplifting

GAINESVILLE, Fla - More than 40 major retail chains, including The Home Depot, Walmart, Kroger and Target, formed a specialized research council to facilitate the use of science to curtail theft and violence. As part of this effort, A specialized University of Florida research team has been formed to interviews offenders, analyzes large datasets, and conducts field experiments to adapt and devise new crime control methods and technologies.
Party Galaxy grows social traffic 1,500% with SocialCentiv Twitter marketing tool

Oklahoma City - Party Galaxy might be ready to start its holiday celebration a little early. The omnichannel specialty retailer recently saw a 1,520% increase in its social media-generated website traffic in just 30 days, driven by SocialCentiv, a patented Twitter marketing tool.
Toys ‘R Us shrinks Q3 net loss with lower taxes, interest

Wayne, N.J. – Toys ‘R Us Inc. shrunk its net loss to $213 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 from $605 million in the year ago, helped by expense controls and a less intense promotional enviroment. The retailer, however, did not provide an outlook for its holiday performance.