Data & Analytics

New York -- Lowe's is investing in helping its professional customers save time, money and run their businesses more efficiently.

Hhgregg says it is trying to get ahead of an ever-earlier holiday shopping season by starting to hire seasonal employees now.

The retailer plans to hire more than 550 full-time and part-time in-store sales associates. As the holiday shopping season continues to tiptoe earlier into the calendar year, Hhgregg is looking to have their stores fully staffed and associates trained and ready to greet shoppers getting a jump on the holiday rush.

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples has opened an online store whose products were determined by crowdfunding.

The winners of the chain’s inaugural Crowd2Shelf Contest are being featured on Staples’ new entrepreneurial store at Staples.com/fundable. The debut of the online store marks the first time a retailer has used crowdfunding to determine market demand and social support in choosing products to carry.

New York -- Amazon should be feeling pumped about the  results of its one-day super sale anniversary event in July.

The Internet giant had a 30.1% increase in marketplace sales in July over the year-ago period, with the increase likely due to its “Prime Day” sale on  July 15, according to a ChannelAdvisor report.

The turnaround at Gap Inc. is still struggling to get off the ground, if the retailers' latest round of financial results are any indication.

Gap reported that net sales for the four-week period ended Aug. 1 were $1.12 billion compared with net sales of $1.17 billion for the four-week period ended Aug. 2, 2014. For the second quarter of fiscal 2015, Gap Inc.’s net sales decreased 2% to $3.90 billion compared with $3.98 billion for the second quarter last year.

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. is still searching for its turnaround.

Gap Inc. issued a second-quarter earnings forecast that was below Wall Street analysts' estimates, with its results impacted by foreign currency fluctuations, West Coast port delays and previously announced store closings in its namesake brand.

Gap reported less-than-expected total sales of $3.9 billion for the second quarter, down 2% from the $3.98 billion the year-ago period.

Lost jobs, ugly architecture, picky consumers and stiff competition are among the reasons why Costco may have a tough time achieving success in France, according to a Seattle Times report.

The newspaper says the Washington-based retailer is building its first warehouse in France and envisions opening as many as 15 stores in that nation over the next 10 years. But whether Costco will succeed in attracting the French consumer is an important question.

Read more by clicking here.

New York -- GameStop wants its employees to pursue a higher education.