Data & Analytics

The CEO of Overstock.com says the company is poised to take advantage of growth opportunities from "crypto-initiatives" and other means as the retailer posted an increase in revenue in the second quarter.

CEO Patrick Byrne said the company's launch of what it calls a "digital corporate bond", or a cryptocurrency-based security, based on bitcoin will fuel expansion and growth for the company.

Washington, D.C. — Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 3.6% in August 2015 from the same month in 2014 as retailers begin to bring in merchandise for the holiday season. According to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates, imports for the year are expected to be up 4.2% from 2014.

Morrisville, N.C. — While specialty jewelry retailer Charles & Colvard Inc. saw sales decline and many expenses rise in the second quarter of fiscal 2015, a sharp decrease in income tax expense allowed the retailer to reduce net loss to $4.05 million from $6.19 million in the prior-year period.

Net sales declined 5% to $7.48 million from $7.84 million.

Consumers don’t see “channels.” They are time-starved and information-rich, and use technology that they carry around in their pockets and purses to find the best solutions to their lifestyle needs.

The practice in retail of creating different brand experiences in different channels has gone beyond being an inconvenience to shoppers. It is the central challenge that retailers are grappling with today.

Petco is making several changes to its leadership team as the retailer focuses on key omnichannel initiatives.

The pet specialty retailer announced that CEO Jim Myers will also be taking on the role of chairman, Brad Weston has been named president, Steve Lossing has been named senior vice president of operations, and Rebecca Frechette has been named senior vice president in charge of merchandising.

Seattle – Online jewelry retailer Blue Nile Inc. had profit and sales results in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 that crested beyond Wall Street expectations. Net income rose 4% to $2.3 million from $2.2 million the same quarter a year earlier.

An increase in interest and other income, as well as cost of sales growth that did not match the growth pace of sales, drove the increase in net income. Net sales rose 7% to $113.69 million from $106.57 million.

Salt Lake City – Online discount retailer Overstock.com saw its second quarter profit diminished by expenses including technology spending, but still remains bullish on the upcoming release of its “cryptobond” financial encryption service.

Overstock reported net income of $1.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2015, down 10% from $1.9 million the same quarter a year earlier. Rising technology expenses, as well as increased expenses related to staffing and sales and marketing, drove the decrease in profit.

New York — Ron Johnson’s newest venture has secured a big round of additional funding.

Enjoy Technology, the online e-commerce start-up founded by the former J.C. Penney chief and Apple store executive, announced it has secured $50 million in a round of Series B funding led by Highland Capital.