Data & Analytics

Austin, Texas - RetailMeNot Inc. has named Michael Jones was named senior VP, retailer and brand solutions. Jones joins RetailMeNot after spending the prior four years serving as VP of merchant development at eBay.

While at eBay, Jones’ responsibilities included sales, business development, merchant relations and operations for eBay's marketplace business. In his new role at RetailMeNot, he will lead the company's efforts to deepen its relationships with the largest retailers and brands.

RetailMeNot has named former eBay executive Michael Jones as SVP of retailer and brand solutions as it seeks to grow its footprint.

Jones spent the last four years serving as VP of merchant development at eBay, where he was responsible for building and developing the company's business relationships with some of the largest brands and retailers in the world and growing the business of its largest customers. His responsibilities included sales, business development, merchant relations and operations for eBay's marketplace business.

Columbus, Ohio -- Chute Gerdeman, a global design consultancy, announced an expanded executive team, including the appointment of Brian Shafley as CEO.

“We are in one of the most productive and innovative periods of Chute Gerdeman’s 25-year history,” said Chute Gerdeman Co-chairman Denny Gerdeman. “With these promotions, we have assembled a highly-talented leadership team that is building on the exciting opportunities at hand.”

New York -- Looking to better respond to increasingly online and mobile customers, 70% of retail executives said their organizations have adopted an omnichannel strategy to link the consumer's in-store experience with the company's website, mobile device application and social media platforms. This strategy, according to the 2014 Retail Outlook Survey of 100 retail executives by KPMG LLP, will help create a seamless shopping experience for the consumer.

Boca Raton, Fla. - Office Depot Inc. has been awarded a $100 million-plus contract for office supplies and other office solutions by Corporate United following a competitive solicitation process. The new agreement with Office Depot includes office supplies, furniture, technology products and copy and print services provided at significant discounts and savings to eligible member companies.

Duluth, Ga. -- NCR Corp. announced that Golden Chick, a Texas-based quick-service restaurant, has successfully piloted the NCR Drive-Thru Timer to help improve the customer experience and efficiency of its business.

Fred’s second-quarter results reflected the company’s strategic decision to build its business model for the future as a convenience/pharmacy-centric store, driven by data-based inventory management, according to CEO Bruce Efird.

The company reported a net loss of $16.4 million for the quarter. Fred's total sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 increased 2% to $491.2 million. On a comparable-store basis, second-quarter sales decreased 0.1%.

Washington, D.C. -- Household purchases unexpectedly fell 0.1% in July, after rising 0.4% the prior month, according to figures released by the Commerce Department. It was the first drop in six months. On a more positive note, confidence among households hit a seven-year high in August, according to the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index.