Data & Analytics

Chicago -- While retailers have collected years of customer data, only 9% are leveraging the information in a structured, usable way, according to HRC Advisory, a leading strategic retail advisory firm and unit of Hilco Global. The finding is part of HRC’s latest retail industry study, which found that outdated organizational structures and processes, non-integrated IT platforms and a lack of a clear roadmap are major barriers preventing customer data in enabling a retailer’s omnichannel efforts.

Amazon’s new “Wish List” deal with Twitter continues the evolution of Twitter from a channel for passive promotion to a channel for interactive customer engagement. By allowing consumers to directly add items they see in tweets to their Amazon Wish Lists without leaving Twitter, the arrangement both turns Twitter into an active platform for peer-to-peer, unpaid marketing and also helps keep Twitter users on Twitter for longer periods of time by extending its functionality.

Louisville – Convenience chain Thorntons Inc. has implemented the Paytronix Loyalty Platform to support its new Refreshing Rewards customer loyalty program across 174 locations. Leveraging the Paytronix loyalty engine enabled the c-store chain to quickly test a variety of elements in a secure, market-focused pilot program and then rapidly roll out the program to all its stores.

The makers of Adams flea and tick control brand have chosen Cheryl Knapp’s English Bulldog Ducky as the grand prize winner of its Smart Pets Contest.

Knapp won the choice of $15,000 cash or a smart car plus smart pet bragging rights. Stardom for the clever canine begins today as a close-up of Ducky flashes from a digital billboard 23 stories above New York's Times Square.

San Mateo, Calif. - NetSuite Inc. has released an integrated solution with ChannelAdvisor.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores has appointed Kevin Systrom, CEO and co-founder of photo-sharing service Instagram, as a new member of the company’s board, effective Sept. 26. Systrom will also serve as a member of the retailer’s technology and e-commerce committee and its compensation, nominating and governance committee (CNGC).

Golden Pantry protects customer data with secure network

Retailers should take advantage of the constant availability of data created by near-ubiquitous mobile penetration among consumers, advised Michael Olmstead, director, Plug and Play Retail, a Silicon Valley-based global start-up accelerator and investor.

“Our generation has a constant in-flow of information, much of which we receive on our mobile electronics,” said Olmstead.