Data & Analytics

By Jason Becker, RICS Software   Retailers – take a step back from Black Friday weekend this year.    I’m not suggesting you shouldn’t move forward with your promotions and sales. Everyone knows that Black Friday weekend can be one of the most profitable times of the year for retailers. But relying too much on this crazy weekend of shopping to generate holiday season profits is a big mistake.  

Clothes aren’t the only thing big at Destination XL as evidenced by a double digit third quarter comp increase aided by omnichannel integration.  

Sales at Destination XL increased 5% to $93.6 million, compared with $88.7 million in the prior-year quarter. Same store sales increased 5.5%.  

Hibbett Sports reported relatively flat third quarter same store sales, but the company achieved record new expansion and is prepared to surpass 1,000 units in 2015.

For the third quarter, Hibbett posted profits of $16.9 million, down from $17.3 million in the prior-year quarter. The decline was mainly due to markdowns related to slow selling and aged inventory, the company said.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Walmart is making a major investment in solar energy, with plans to install up to 400 new solar projects at stores and facilities across the nation during the next four years. The retailer has tapped two solar energy providers for the installations, SolarCity and SunEdison, following an RFP process.  

Sunnyvale, Calif. - The number one reason why some consumers avoid online shopping is the lack of in-person assistance and proactive engagement from brands. According to a survey of 2,500 consumers about their online shopping plans and preferences for the upcoming holiday season conducted by e-commerce technology provider Moxie, 72% of survey respondents indicated that they want brands to proactively engage with them online, especially when they are struggling on a website.   

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - It’s going to be a very good holiday for consumer electronics purchases, according to a survey by IHS Inc., with seven out of 10 U.S. consumers (68%) planning to buy consumer electronics during the 2014 holiday season.   

Walmart is fulfilling its promise earlier this year to make a big investment in solar energy: The retailer has accepted bids from SunEdison and SolarCity to install as many as 400 new solar systems on its facilities over the next four years.  

CROSSMARK veteran Jim Norred was named president of the sales and marketing services company’s Marketing Solutions Group.

Norred most recently served as EVP of corporate development with responsibility for client services, business development, insights and corporate marketing. Prior to that, he served as the company’s CIO. He also has served as president of G2, an integrated marketing joint venture that ultimately was acquired by WPP in 2008.