Data & Analytics

As we transition into fall, let’s bid a fond farewell to summer 2013 by looking at how Benson’s Homemade Ice Cream, an independent seasonal ice cream parlor in the idyllic community of Boxford, Mass., uses Facebook in ways that larger retailers may want to emulate.

Real information in real time

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc.’s second-quarter net income dropped to $9.1 million, down from $21.1 million a year earlier, on expenses associated with its spinoff from Sears Holdings Corp. The company also announced that its board approved a $25 million buyback.

Revenue increased 2% to $656.9 million from $644.5 million. Same-store sales rose 1.4%, with an 8.2% increase for the chain’s outlet segment.

Brentwood — GBT Realty Corp. has added four new members to its team.

Ivan Lozina, a 20-year industry veteran has been appointed senior construction manager. Lozina will oversee construction management for new developments in the Shopping Center Division. Prior to joining GBT, Lozina spent 17 years at Benderson Development Company, managing the construction of more than 20 million square feet of commercial real estate.

Jeff Zoss and Scott Simerlein have joined The Grocery Shopping Network, Inc., a provider of digital shopper planning and marketing tools for grocery retailers, consumer packaged goods companies and shoppers.

The creators of eMobile POS and device manufacturer Cherry have teamed up to create a mobile POS product for the iPhone and iPod Touch that will be sold at Costco.com, according to the firms.

Internet services company Rakuten has acquired the global video streaming platform known as Viki as it looks to advance its digital content offerings and extend Internet services to new markets.

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.