Data & Analytics

Next phase of growth takes shape at Spanx
Spanx, one of the hottest brands in retail, named finance executive Dan Glennon to the new role of COO and CFO to help drive growth at the leading shapewear brand.

Glennon will lead the cross functional teams of global finance, legal, information technology, sourcing, manufacturing and planning as well as data and analytics. He will report directly to Spanx CEO Jan Singer.
Nordstrom rolls on, loyalty expands
New stores, 3.9% same store sales growth and increased loyalty propelled Nordstrom to record third quarter sales.

The company’s total sales increased 8.9% to $3 billion thanks to the addition of new stores and a 3.9% same store sales increase that was driven by online growth. Profits increased 3.6% to $142 million compared to $137 million while earnings per share increased 5.8% to 73 cents from 69 cents.

In store leaders becoming online laggards

The online grocery channel, while a minor part of FMCG/CPG sales in the U.S. currently, is widely anticipated to be a primary driver of growth for the category in the coming years. And the emergence of this channel can’t happen too soon - total dollar sales for FMCG/CPG products increased just 1.5% last year according to IRI. But change is coming.
Sears offers loyalty members early Black Friday access

Hoffman Estates, Ill. –- Sears will provide members of its Shop Your Way loyalty program access to many Black Friday deals one full week before Thanksgiving,on Sears.com from 6 p.m. on Nov. 20 until 11:59 p.m. (CT) on Nov. 21. During this online member-exclusive pre-sale event, members can log on to their Shop Your Way account during the sale to access the deals.
Samsung releases beacon solution

Ridgefield, N.J. –- Samsung is taking direct aim at the burgeoning market for Apple’s iBeacon in-store marketing/messaging solution with its own new beacon-based tool called Proximity. Like iBeacon, Proximity uses Bluetooth Low Energy beacons to identify and track the location of shoppers in a store by their mobile devices and send them offers and promotions based both on their purchase history and location in the store.
Rebecca Minkoff partners with EBay on connected stores

New York –- Specialty retailer Rebecca Minkoff has opened a “connected store” powered by EBay technology in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City, and will open connected stores in San Francisco Nov. 19 and in Los Angeles in 2015, respectively. Using EBay technology, the stores include mirrored displays with touchscreen video content that let customers request associate assistance or order drinks.
Online retailers miss sales with irrelevant items

London, U.K. -- Nearly three-quarters of online retailers (74%) miss out on sales by promoting irrelevant items to online shoppers. According to new research from OrderDynamics, as retailers prepare for the crucial holiday shopping season, many could be driving customers away by promoting irrelevant products, failing to build customer relationships through intelligent follow-up, and ignoring consumer preferences on end-to-end order tracking.
Survey: Consumers seek Black Friday deals

When asked which Cyber Monday offers they will take advantage of, 70% of consumers said deals. In addition, a new survey from FatWallet.com shows that 42% said coupons, 31% said cash back, 51% said storewide discounts and 68% said free shipping.
Newk’s Eatery launches online ordering

Jackson, Miss. –- Newk’s Eatery’s is launching a new online ordering platform. After the mid-November debut of Newk’s online ordering program, to be implemented nationwide by year’s end, online customers will be able to pick up orders at Newk’s “Grab N’ Go” takeout entrances.
Direct Buy launches member care service

Merrillville, Ind. -- DirectBuy, the membership-based buying organization that enables consumers to purchase directly from manufacturers and suppliers, has implemented a new Member Care Advocacy Team. Typical member resolutions include processing membership renewals, updating contact information, resetting passwords, and resolving members’ questions pertaining to orders or membership.
CBRE awarded asset management, lease admin contract for Standard Chartered Bank

Los Angeles -- CBRE Group, Inc. has been appointed by Standard Chartered Bank to provide asset management and lease administration services across the bank’s commercial property portfolio.
Friday Halloween spurred early holiday spending

Atlanta -- This year, a Halloween that fell on Friday helped boost spending growth in October, according to the monthly SpendTrend report from First Data Corp.