Data & Analytics

Conshohocken, Pa. -- Ikea is submitting plans to Clark County, Nevada, for a Las Vegas-area store that would increase the Swedish retailer’s presence in the western United States.

The application marks the beginning of an approval process that could lead to the store’s opening as early as summer 2016.

iBeacon technology, the Apple iOS 7 feature that helps mobile devices track their position relative to stationary beacons by using low-frequency Bluetooth transmissions, is getting quite a bit of attention from retailers. Grabbing their interest is not only that devices can obtain individualized information from beacons, but that beacons can also obtain individualized information from mobile devices.

By Russ Wilson, IBM director, Mobile Innovation Center

Millennials’ comfort with mobile technology, in a world where just about everything can be done with an app,  is driving businesses to provide apps of their own – enabling the purchasing of products and services in a way that is more natural to this tech savvy generation.

Atlanta -- Consumer spending slowed in June but remained positive on a year-over-year basis with a growth of 3%, according to First Data SpendTrend analysis, which tracks same-store point-of-sale data by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT, closed-loop prepaid cards and checks from nearly four million merchant locations serviced by First Data.

San Jose, Calif. - EBay and Sotheby’s are developing an online platform designed to make it easier for consumers to discover, browse and acquire exceptional works of art, antiques and collectibles. EBay and Sotheby’s will start by offering a number of live auctions that are taking place at Sotheby’s headquarters in New York.

Philadelphia - Millennials are emerging as some of the most committed purchasers of sustainable products and services. According to a survey of 2,051 adult consumers commissioned by hygiene product manufacturer SCA, Millennials age 18-34 who purchase green products/services are significantly more likely (27%) to have increased the number of green products and services they buy compared to adults ages 35-44 (18%) and adults ages 45-plus (15%).

Amsterdam, Netherlands - Staples Europe recently launched a number of improvements to its omnichannel shopping experience, including an upgrade to the look and feel of its key websites in Europe, including Spain, Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy and U.K. The refreshed user experience includes a new homepage, header and footer, along with horizontal masthead navigation, allowing customers to browse by different categories.

New Albany, Ohio - Abercrombie & Fitch Co. has initiated a process to refinance $500 million in existing credit facilities to two new facilities worth a total of $750 million. Proceeds are expected to be used to pay off a remaining $131.5 million balance and outstanding borrowings of $60 million related to existing credit facilities, and to pay related fees and expenses associated with the transaction.  

Sears and Kmart recently announced they will allow pickup of Sears.com or Kmart.com orders at any of each other's more than 2,000 U.S. stores. Customers will be able to select free store pickup and a preferred pickup location for specially marked online items. The retailers are even taking the digitally progressive step of offering online video instruction through the YouTube channel for members of the Sears/Kmart Shop Your Way omnichannel loyalty program.

Mylan has entered into a definitive agreement with Abbott whereby Mylan will acquire Abbott's non-U.S. developed markets specialty and branded generics business in an all-stock transaction.

Upon closing, Abbott will receive 105 million shares of the combined company worth approximately $5.3 billion based on Mylan's closing price of $50.20 on Friday, July 11, 2014, representing an approximately 21% ownership stake.