Data & Analytics

Mobile payments are likely to take a giant step forward with Apple’s unveiling of Apple Pay, a new mobile payment platform built into the company’s new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The platform will also work with the new Apple Watch, extending the service to over 200 million owners of iPhone 5, iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s worldwide.

Arlington, Va. – Cooperation among all public- and private-sector stakeholders in the retail industry is needed to ensure cyber security in the face of high-profile retail hacking attacks like the one recently uncovered at Home Depot, according to the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA). Sandy Kennedy, president of RILA, released a public statement on the importance of continuing to improve the security of debit and credit cards.

Maurices, a subsidiary of the Ascena Retail Group, announced that Ali Wing has been named chief marketing officer, executive VP of digital commerce. Wing joins Maurices after 10 years as CEO and founder of giggle, a multichannel retailer, wholesaler and licenser of baby products.

Houston -- Francesca's Holdings Corp. on Tuesday reported second quarter net income of $10.3 million, down from $14.6 million in the year-earlier period. Earnings and sales both fell short of estimates. The retailer also lowered its earnings outlook for the year.

Net sales rose 9% to $97.3 million, driven largely by new openings. Total apparel sales increased 14%, accessories sales increased 14%, and gift sales increased 25%. The gains were offset by a 12% decrease in jewelry sales,

Same-store sales fell 7%.

As part of its continued long-term profitable growth strategy, Toys“R”Us has appointed a number of executives to key leadership roles.
 

New York -- Home Depot officially confirmed that in-store payment systems at its U.S. and Canadian stores had been hacked in a breach that potentially could be one of the biggest attacks yet. The chain said malware was used in the hack.  

New York -- Barnes & Noble Inc. on Tuesday reported a smaller-than-expected loss of $28.4 million in its fiscal first quarter, down from $87 million a share, a year earlier. The chain has been cutting spending in its Nook e-reader division and moving toward a spinoff of the business.

Revenue fell 7% to $1.24 billion, including a 5.3% drop at the company’s retail segment.

New York – Proximity marketing solutions provider Thinaire is introducing its new ActiveShopper digital-coupon-solution that lets brands and retailers deliver incentives to shoppers in the store. Thinaire has integrated loyalty rewards and coupon delivery into its cloud-based mobile engagement platform.