Data & Analytics

Matthews, N.C. – The pending merger with Dollar Tree Inc. took a toll on Family Dollar’s profits in the third quarter.

Expenses related to the merger drove Family Dollar’s net income down 1.5% to $79.9 million from $81.1 million the year-ago period, below Wall Street expectations.

It might seem counterintuitive to suggest that Houston, the nation’s fourth most populous city, is ever in danger of being overlooked, but the reality is that, for a long time, this rapidly growing Texas metropolis has frequently not been thought about in the same category as its peers. That is changing, however, and in many ways Houston has become that gateway market it has always longed to be. With the kind of population growth the city has been experiencing, population projections of 8 million - 9 million people in the not-too-distant future do not seem too far-fetched.

QVC has named a Procter & Gamble veteran as its next business planning and analysis chief, as the company looks tomaximize efficiencies and organizational synergy.

Having passed the calendar’s mid-point, we thought it would be interesting to take a look at the top 10 most-viewed stories of the year (to date) on Chainstoreage.com.

Click here.

Ann Arbor, Mich. - Customers are less satisfied with fast food as their discretionary income improves and preferences shift in favor of quality over price.

According to new data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), two new entrants to ACSI debut at the top of limited-service (fast food) restaurants: Chick-fil-A and Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Taking proactive approach can save energy, costs

Unexpected heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system repairs or breakdowns can result in unplanned store downtime or customer comfort issues for retail stores. With comfort such an important part of the customer experience, one that can impact sales, HVAC systems are indeed a critical component for retail stores.

In addition, HVAC systems are one of the largest sources of energy consumption in retail stores.

New York – Most consumers base their grocery purchase decisions on very basic information. According to new research from data analytics solution provider Precima, 80% of U.S. shoppers choose their primary grocery store based on everyday prices, with two-thirds (65%) stating that the everyday (regular/non-sale) prices of staple items such as milk and eggs most influence their price perception of a grocery retailer.

Dedham, Mass. - Reflexis Systems Inc. has successfully implemented its products in more than 20 retail, QSR (quick-service restaurant), and convenience store chains at the regional, national, and global level, across five continents during the first half of the 2015 calendar year. The solutions include Reflexis Task Manager, Reflexis Workforce Manager, ReflexisPlus, Advanced Analytics and Reporting, and Time and Attendance.