Data & Analytics

BURLINGTON, Mass. — 89 Degrees, a customer engagement agency that leverages data and analytically driven strategy for maximum ROI, has named Rosie Poultney VP, analytics.

“Rosie is a key hire in our evolution as a customer engagement agency, linking digital technology and analytics to drive omnichannel marketing in powerful new ways,” said Phil Hussey, president of 89 Degrees. “Adding Bill Pena recently as VP of technology services was another major step in this direction, as we bring world class talent to our technology solutions.”

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Regency Centers Corp. and a co-investment partner have acquired the 31,316-sq.-ft. Shoppes of Burnt Mills in Silver Spring, Md., just north of Washington, D.C., for $13.6 million. Regency’s share of the off-market acquisition was $1.7 million.

New York -- Walmart had the top online retail site for back-to-school shoppers last week, according to sales data and analysis from Experian Marketing Services (EMS). Rounding out the top five: J.C. Penney, Macy’s, Office Max and Sears. 

Experian noted that brick and mortar stores are getting the majority of search traffic to date. The company also said that offers in subject lines were present on 37% of back- to-school email, and generated 57% of total email revenue in 2012. 

A former editor used to tell me “A picture is worth a thousand words – a thousand words you don’t have to write.” For omnichannel retailers, the value of video is even greater than that of still photography to journalists. As the popularity of online video content continues to climb with consumers, retailers ignore its potential as a means of customer engagement at their own risk.

The nation’s largest egg producer, Cal-Maine Foods, said it sold 243.3 million dozen eggs in its fourth quarter ended June 1, and moved closer to surpassing the 1 billion dozen threshold for the full fiscal year.

The 243.3 million dozen eggs sold in the fourth quarter was an increase of 6.3% from 228.8 million dozen sold in the fourth quarter the prior year. The full year total of 948.5 million dozen was a 7.3% increase from 884.3 million dozen the prior year.

SEATTLE — As Amazon prepares one of its distribution warehouses for a visit from President Barack Obama, and the economy continues on its path toward recovery, the Internet retailer has announced plans to create more than 5,000 new full-time jobs in its U.S. fulfillment network to meet growing customer demand. 

BOCA RATON, Fla. — In a letter to shareholders, the board of directors of Office Depot Inc. said it has made significant progress toward a successful closing of the planned merger with OfficeMax by the end of this year. The letter also urges shareholders to support the board’s 10 nominees for the company’s board of directors.

Armonk, N.Y. -- Online consumer spending rose a healthy 15% in the second quarter of this year compared to the second quarter of last year. The IBM Online Retail Sales Index shows that mobile sales reached 19.4% of total online sales, up 28% from last year. Online shopping growth substantially outpaced the 4.6% year-over-year increase of in-store sales during the second quarter.