Data & Analytics

Mid-America celebrates 30 years in the retail real estate information business

Mike George likes to say that his company is in the retail real estate information business. “Our clients buy, sell and lease retail real estate,” said George, principal and president of Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.- based Mid-America Real Estate Group. “Clients that buy and sell real estate rely on us for information that helps them make the best business decisions. When clients hire us to manage and lease shopping centers, they want our information-based decisions.”

Woonsocket, R.I. – Net income at CVS Caremark Corp. increased 18.3% to $1.1 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, compared with approximately $1 billion a year earlier. Pharmacy services and retail pharmacy segments both benefited from the impact of increased generic drugs dispensed and slower growth in expenses.

Lakewood, Colo. – Net income climbed 24.3% at Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc. in the second quarter of fiscal 2014, rising to $4 million from $3.21 million in the same quarter the prior fiscal year. For the remainder of the current fiscal year, Natural Grocers plans to open six new stores and remodel one.

Asheville, N.C. – Ingles Markets reported a large increase in net income and smaller increase in net sales during the second quarter of fiscal 2014 as compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year. Net income soared 29.2% to $105 million from $8.1 million, while net sales grew 2.9% to $947.8 million from $920.7 million.

Atlanta – Havertys reported declining year-over-year net income and sales during the first quarter of fiscal 2014, which the retailer attributed to a 0.9% drop in same-store sales and out-of-period gross profit adjustment in the first quarter of fiscal 2013. The company still plans to open three new stores in its largest markets.

Net income dropped 26% to $6.13 million, from $8.26 million. Net sales declined 2% to $181.7 million, from $186.1 million.

San Diego - Shari's Berries, a national gifting brand that delivers strawberries and sweets, is launching Shari's Berries App for iPhone and iPod touch. The Shari's Berries App allows smartphone-based orders for delivery as early as the next day.

Designed by its subsidiary Sincerely, the Shari's Berries App features a simplified shopping experience and quick checkouts. It also reminds users of birthdays and holidays based on an algorithm that incorporates data from their Facebook network and device contacts.

Mobile solutions provider GPShopper named Yana Vaysman to a new role overseeing a wide range of client facing implementation functions.

GPShopper bills itself as the leading developer of mobile solutions for retailers, and in her role as vp of solutions enablement Vaysman will be based in the company’s Chicago office. She will oversee project management as well as implementation process for all clients, enhancing customer service and facilitating collaboration between GPShopper’s account management and product development teams.

Mobile has been dominating digital conversation for several years now which is why new research regarding smart phones from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) was suprising.

Despite severe weather-related issues during the first quarter, CVS reported “solid results” across the enterprise and executives expressed optimism in achieving 2014 goals.

Who would argue that mobile has not been an absolutely transformative platform for retail? Communicating with consumers on a nearly 24/7 basis on a computing platform they embrace throughout their lifestyle has transformed retail marketing. E-commerce is a long ago metaphor, replaced almost entirely by m-commerce as smartphones and their larger cousin tablets overwhelm the old PC experience.