Data & Analytics

New York -- New York City drugstore operator Duane Reade, a division of Walgreens, on Tuesday celebrated an important social milestone — surpassing one million followers on Twitter — with a gala event at the chain’s flagship on Wall Street. From September 2012 to date, the regional retailer has organically grown its Twitter following by 6,709%, making it one of the fastest-growing accounts on Twitter year over year. With 1.1 million followers at latest count, the chain is believed to be the most followed retailer in the drug, food and mass arena.

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys "R" U widened its loss in the second quarter on lower sales at its stores in the United States and Europe. The company reported a loss of $113 million, compared with a year-earlier loss of $36 million.

Net sales for the quarter, ended August 3, dropped 6.9% to $2.38 billion. Same-store sales declined 3.5% in the U.S. and 3.8% abroad. The retailer attributed the decline primarily to decreases in the juvenile and entertainment (which includes electronics, video game hardware and software) categories.

Seattle -- Starbucks Corp. said that Troy Alstead, CFO and chief administrative officer, has been promoted to CFO and group president, Global Business Services.

Alstead’s promotion is a recognition of the increasing responsibility and complexity of his role overseeing Starbucks global financial, technology and supply chain operations and ensuring that the company’s overall business infrastructure is optimized to support the company’s global growth.

Dallas -- PeopleAnswers and New York & Company announced a software licensing agreement for the specialty apparel chain with more than 500 stores nationwide to use the PeopleAnswers HR-focused business solution to recommend employee candidates who can guide their customers to make smart fashion purchase decisions.

Aston, Pa. -- Action Services Group, a national lighting, sign and electrical maintenance company, announced a program agreement with Sunoco Inc. to provide sign relamping services, plus location asset-survey services, for their retail high-rise signs across specified locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.

Chicago -- SMS Assist announced the appointment of Michael L. McMath as VP of client services for the Chicago-based technology-driven facilities maintenance and management company.

McMath previously held senior positions at Wal-Mart Stores, Alcoa and Compass Group.
 

By Kelly Kennedy, Senior VP of Enterprise Sales, Infogroup Targeting Solutions

By Anna Convey, OpenSpan

Dallas -- Chili’s Grill & Bar will bring tabletop tablets from Ziosk to all company-owned restaurants nationwide by the first half of 2014.

With the primary purpose of enhancing the guest experience, the Ziosk seven-inch tablet will be displayed on each table in the restaurant, giving patrons the ability to interactively peruse menu items and specials as well as order beverages and desserts. Customers can also use the tablets to play games together, share their real-time feedback with the brand and pay the check right at the table

New York -- Foot Locker, Inc. is introducing Six02.com, the e-retail extension of its Six:02 stores aimed at women. In addition to offering a full assortment of women’s athletic apparel and products, the site features the Get Fit Guide, a custom online tool to lead customers through the product offerings to find the perfect fit, style, and product based on preferred workout activity and body shape.