Data & Analytics

Washington, D.C. -- Walmart and the Walmart Foundation announce an initial investment of $16 million to seven national nonprofit organizations, as part of a new Opportunity initiative, a $100 million commitment to help increase the economic mobility of entry level workers in retail and adjacent sectors. The $100 million commitment was first announced last week by Walmart president and CEO Doug McMillon, in conjunction with the roll out of new opportunities and enhanced benefits for Walmart associates.

Conshohocken, Pa. -- Ikea announced that it has chosen VCC to serve as construction manager both for the site work and store development of its new, larger store in Burbank, California. The new location will replace the chain’s existing Burbank store, which is also Ikea’s oldest store in the Western United States.

Pending remaining approvals and permits, groundbreaking is on track for fall 2015 and store opening in spring 2017. Until the new, roomier store opens on the new site, customers can continue to shop at the existing Ikea Burbank.

Chicago – Consumer adoption of virtual reality (VR) technology is progressing slowly, but that doesn’t mean shoppers aren’t receptive to it. According to the 2015 Future of Retail Study from public relations firm Walker Sands, 30% of surveyed consumers said they would shop more online if they were able to try products on virtually.

About half (49%) of survey participants said they are willing to try the Oculus Rift VR headset when it is released in spring 2015, and 32% are interested in purchasing an Oculus Rift headset.

Stronger traffic and an increase in the size of the average basket are among the reasons Ross Stores’ CFO cited for the company's robust fourth quarter performance.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl's Corp. reported better-than-expected profit for its fourth-quarter profit, helped by strong holiday sales.
 
The retailer earned $369 million for the quarter ended Jan. 31, up from $334 million a year ago.

Total sales were up 3.9% to $6.34 billion from $6.1 billion in the year-ago period, also better than expected. Same-store sales increased 3.7%, a significant improvement after five straight quarters of decline.

Stronger demand for clothing and accessories during the holiday season helped Kohl's Corp. post an increase in same store sales for the fourth quarter after five straight quarters of decline.   The retailer reported that same store sales rose 3.7% for the fourth quarter. Net income rose 10.5% to $369 million, or $1.83 per share, while net sales increased 4% to $6.34 billion. Analysts on an average had expected earnings of $1.80 per share and revenue of $6.33 billion.  

Record digital and mobile sales propelled HSN Inc. to a better-than-expected 10% increase in sales in the fourth quarter.

The company reported profit of $68.3 million, or $1.28 a share, up from $61.6 million, or $1.14 a share, a year earlier.

St. Petersburg, Fla. – HSN Inc. had a successful fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, beating Wall Street estimates for both net income and sales. Net income rose 11% to $68.3 million from $61.6 million, while net sales grew 10% to $1.12 billion from $1.1 billion.

Digital grew 12%, reaching a milestone of representing more than half HSN’s business. Mobile remains the company’s fastest-growing platform with growth of 40% in the quarter.