Data & Analytics

Albany, N.Y. – The global Big Data market, worth $6.3 billion in 2012, is expected to reach a value of $48.3 billion in 2018. According to a new study from Transparency Market Research, a year-on-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40.5% during the period 2012-2018 will produce that figure.

New York -- Consumers consider social media a less important part of their customer journey – from awareness to post-sale activity – compared to two years ago, according to a survey by Capgemini, a leading provider of consulting, technology and outsourcing services.

Mars has announced a number of leadership changes, which include the departure of Todd Lachman, current president of the company's global pet care division.
 
Lachman, who has been with the company eight years, will be leaving at the end of 2014 to relocate his family to San Francisco. Poul Weihrauch has been named as his successor, effective Jan. 1. Weihrauch is currently global president of Mars Food and also has accountability for Mars drinks and European multisales. He has been with Mars for 14 years, working in multiple categories.
 

Meijer has launched a first-of-its-kind food solutions program in each of its 213 stores. According to the retailer, “Ready! For You” is designed to meet the tastes and lifestyles of busy families by providing recipe ideas, inspiration and savings opportunities in-store and online.

A global report by Capgemini, a leading provider of consulting, technology and outsourcing services, claims that consumers consider social media a less important part of their customer journey — from awareness, through to post-sale activity — compared to two years ago.

Despite posting increases in consolidated net and comparable store sales, the Finish Line’s second-quarter results fell short of its expectations, thanks to softness in the specialty retailer’s basketball offering.

Despite the slowdown in basketball-related sales, the running-related sales increased in the mid-single digits, driven by casual and performance styles. Consolidated net sales were $466.9 million, an increase of 7.1% over the prior year period. Comparable store sales increased 1.5%.

Champaign, Ill. – Quick-service chain Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches reportedly had customer credit card information stolen from its payments systems at 216 of its 2,000 stores by hackers. According to Bloomberg, log-in credentials from a payment systems vendor were used by hackers to infiltrate POS systems at its stores between June 5 and Sept. 5.

Jimmy John’s first learned of the breach on July 30 and has been using forensics experts to investigate it. The retailer says the breach has been contained.

Dodgeville, Wis. - Lands' End Business Outfitters has launched a new online customer shopping experience. The new website provides functionality that lets business customers do everything from seeing how their logo looks on a selected fabric to managing account information and accessing order history.

Foothills Ranch, Calif. -- The Wet Seal named Jon Kubo as executive VP and chief digital officer, a newly created position, effective Oct. 6. Kubo will oversee e-commerce, digital marketing and the information technology organization to integrate digital consumer experiences across all business touch points.

New York – More than 100 retailers, including Macy’s and J.C. Penney, have reportedly joined forces with the New York Police Department to create the Metropolitan Organized Retail Crime Alliance. According to the New York Daily News, the alliance will share information on criminals and scams targeting retailers and their customers.