Data & Analytics

Stellarton, Canada – Canadian supermarket chain Sobey’s Inc. has signed a cross-Canada, long-term agreement with loyalty and marketing solutions provider Alliance Data Systems Corp. Under the agreement, Sobeys-owned banners in Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Western Canada, and northwestern Ontario, will remain sponsors in the Alliance Air Miles Reward Program. In addition, other Sobeys-owned banners in western Canada will also issue Air Miles reward miles beginning in fall 2014.

Cambridge, Mass. - Vee24, a provider of live video assistance solutions, is releasing the VeeStudio Software Development Kit (SDK) for iOS and Android, as well as VeeAssist, a new co-browsing product designed to enhance call center satisfaction. VeeAssist expands the company’s assisted selling solutions, including live video help, from the Web to now also support traditional telephony-based call center engagements, while the mobile toolkit extends its live help solution into brands’ iOS and Android mobile applications.

San Jose, Calif. - EBay Inc. has appointed Craig Hayman as president of its eBay Enterprise business. Hayman brings more than 30 years of enterprise technology leadership including executive positions at IBM’s Industry Cloud Solutions and WebSphere businesses.

Deerfield Park, Ill. – A 16% year-over-year jump in third quarter profit still missed Wall Street estimates, causing Walgreen Co. to withdraw previously issued fiscal 2016 guidance. During the third quarter of fiscal 2015, Walgreen reported net earnings of $722 million, up 16% from $624 million in the same period the previous fiscal year.

Starting with a washer and dryer, Whirlpool products will be getting smarter with the help of Nest’s learning thermostat. The appliance company plans to integrate some of its products with Nest’s thermostat.

The commerce technology and marketing arm of eBay has a new president. Craig Hayman, a 15-year veteran of IBM, has been named the head of eBay enterprise.

“Technology continues to have a significant impact on the overall commerce landscape,” eBay’s President and CEO John Donahoe said. “Craig’s experience will enhance our ability to serve retailers and brands in this online to offine world.”

A new toothbrush from Oral-B might make brushing less of a burden, and it's thanks to an app.

Walgreens reported a 16% year-over-year jump in third quarter profit, but was forced to withdraw its previously issued fiscal 2016 guidance because it missed Wall Street estimates.

The company’s net earnings for the quarter were $722 million compared to $624 million in the prior-year period. Net sales increased 6% to $19.4 billion from $18.3 billion, while same-store sales increased 4.8%.

Subscription billing management company Recurly has appointed Renato Mascardo, former VP of engineering at Rosetta Stone, as its new chief technology officer.

“We are delighted to have Renato join our leadership team,” said Dan Burkhart, CEO for Recurly. “He brings a passion software innovation and a pride in world-class execution which is exciting for a company at our stage of growth.”

Digital receipts company flexReceipts has named Megan Licursi as its chief marketing officer.

In her new position, Licursi will oversee the company’s strategic vision and the implementation of its marketing approach. Previously, Licursi has helped national brands create and execute marketing programs, and will bring that to flexreceipts, which uses a software for clients to include promotions and social media links in electronic receipts they send to customers.