Data & Analytics

The world’s largest digital coupon marketplace, RetailMeNot.com, has introduced new functionality and platform integration capabilities to its popular service with the launch of version 3.0 of its iOS and Android coupons app.

Global consumer products company Jarden Corp. agreed to acquire Yankee Candle for $1.75 billion in cash from its private equity owner Madison Dearborn Partners.

Jarden offers more than 120 well known brands in three major categories – outdoor solutions, consumer solution and branded consumables – but Yankee Candle will instantly become one of, if not the most, recognizable brand in the lineup. Yankee Candle brand products are sold in roughly 35,000 retail locations in North America.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid has promoted Tammy Royer to group VP of managed care. Royer will report to Chris Hall, SVP of pharmacy services.

Royer most recently worked in the company's pharmacy division. In her new role, she will oversee all aspects of managed care, including contracting, maintaining relationships with managed-care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers and third-party payers and developing new strategic partnerships.

A second Retailer Owned Food Distributors & Associates (ROFDA) wholesaler is adopting ReposiTrak, a food safety platform.

Powered by Park City Group’s technology, ReposiTrak aims to help manage regulatory, financial and brand risk associated with issues of food safety in the global food supply chain, and remain in compliance with rapidly evolving regulations in the Food Safety Modernization Act.

Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores saw net income for the second quarter drop to $9.1 million from $21.1 million a year earlier, due, in part, to expenses associated with its spinoff from Sears Holdings Corp, according to the company.

These results come a little more than a week after Sears Holdings saw revenues decrease to $8.9 billion for the quarter from $9.5 billion for the year-ago quarter. Fewer Kmart and Sears full-line stores accounted for approximately $210 million of that decline.

New York - The use of cloud-based enterprise storage and production applications, as well as enterprise spending on cloud technology, has increased in the past year to a tipping point. According to the Verizon 2013 State of the Enterprise Cloud Report, between January 2012 and June 2013 the use of cloud-based storage grew 90% and use of cloud-based memory increased 100%, mostly due to the shift of business-critical applications to the cloud.

Other findings of the report include:

Irving, Texas -- Michaels Stores Inc.’s second-quarter profit soared 53.8% amid higher sales and lower interest expenses.

The retailer reported a profit of $20 million for the quarter ended Aug. 3, compared with $13 million a year earlier.
Sales inched up 1.3% to $904 million. Same-store sales fell 1.3%, due to a 3.6% decrease in transactions and a 0.4% decrease in deferred custom framing revenue, which was partially offset by a 2.7% increase in the company's average ticket.

Los Angeles -- Guess Inc. reported net income for the second quarter above expectations due to improving sales in North America.

Net income fell 7% to $39.8 million, down from $42.9 million a year ago.

Overall sales rose 0.6% to $639 million. In North America, which accounts for about 40% of the chain’s revenue, retail sales were up 1%.

Same-store sales fell 2%, compared to a 10% drop in the first quarter.

Nashville, Tenn. -- Footwear retailer Genesco estimated second-quarter results below analysts' forecast. The company also slashed its adjusted profit outlook for the current year.

“We are disappointed that our second quarter performance fell short of expectations,” said Robert J. Dennis, chairman, president and CEO of Genesco. “Sales trends proved to be more challenging as the quarter progressed and results came in below our plan. The third quarter has gotten off to a difficult start with comparable sales down 3% through Aug. 24.

Hamilton, Bermuda -- Signet Jewelers Ltd.’s net income fell to $67.4 million for the quarter ended Aug. 3, down from $70.7 million a year earlier, impacted by the Mother’s Day calendar shift.  

Total sales increased 3.1% to $880.2 million, fueled by strong sales at the company’s Kay Jewelers and Jared stores in the United States. Sales were soft at its British chains.

Same-store sales were up 3.6%. At Kay, same-store sales rose 5.8%.