Data & Analytics

Lumber Liquidators reported a first-quarter loss of $7.8 million and announced that its CFO is resigning as allegations over the quality of its flooring continues to affect the company.

In the quarter, the company swung to a loss of $7.8 million, or 29 cents per share, compared to net income of $13.7 million, or 49 cents per share, a year ago. Revenue of $260 million in the period met analysts’ forecasts. 

New York – Omnichannel specialty fashion retailer Rachel Comey is now accepting payment via EMV-compliant, chip-based payment cards, as well as Apple Pay, in its New York store. Rachel Comey is using EMV- and Apple Pay-enabled, cloud-based mobile POS devices from Highline Software.

San Diego – Engaging consumers online seems like it should be easy – after all, virtually every consumer is actively online and using multiple social media platforms at this point. However, this also means that all of your competitors are also trying to engage the public across multiple online and social channels, resulting in a huge morass of digital noise. To stand out, retailers need to ensure their digital engagement strategy is consistent, timely and personalized.

New York – While most observers agree there will not be widespread adoption of technology to accept payments from EMV-compliant payment cards in the U.S. by the October 2015 fraud liability shift deadline, Forrester Research is less optimistic than most. In a research note, Forrester said retailer concerns about the ROI of spending on chip and PIN technology, as well the development of new secure payment methods, will delay widespread adoption of hardware and software needed to accept chip and PIN payment in the U.S., until 2020.

Family Dollar Stores Inc. has announced the passing of Mark R. Bernstein, a member of the company's board of directors, on April 27.

Dallas – On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina is partnering with NCR Corp. to offer mobile payment at all of its corporate restaurants. Using the NCR Mobile Pay solution, seamlessly integrated with the NCR Aloha POS solution, On The Border allows customers to pay their check using their mobile device.

JCPenney Company Inc. has named one of its board members as its next EVP and chief marketing officer.

The company said that Mary Beth West, a highly accomplished consumer marketing executive, will join the company's executive leadership team as executive vice president and chief customer and marketing officer effective June 1. She will be stepping down from her position on its Board of Directors to assume this new role.

Chain Store Age recently had the chance to speak with noted consumer trend expert Faith Popcorn, founder and CEO of marketing consulting firm Faith Popcorn’s BrainReserve, about steps McDonald’s can take to reverse its struggling fortunes. Popcorn’s insights come on the heels of McDonald’s reporting a 33% year-over-year drop in profits for first quarter 2015.

Bigger Isn’t Always Better
According to Popcorn, McDonald’s vast size is not necessarily an asset anymore.