Data & Analytics

By Niclas Qvist, Pricer

New York -- U.S. retailers' June sales suggest overall consumer spending is improving, even though lower-end shoppers are holding back on nonessential purchases. Same-store sales increased 3.9% in June compared to the year-ago period, according to a preliminary tally of 12 retailers by the International Council of Shopping Centers. The association had expected a 3% to 3.5% increase.

Austin, Texas -- Research results released Thursday by coupon site Offers.com found that 67% of U.S. parents with school-aged children plan to spend more than $100 per child on back-to-school shopping this year.

Akron, Ohio -- Kay Jewelers said it has teamed with wedding site The Knot to launch an interactive wedding ring style quiz on Facebook.

As part of the promotion, consumers visit The Knot or Kay Jewelers on Facebook and answer questions about personal style and wedding ring preferences. Once complete, participants will receive their wedding ring personality types along with brand suggestions, and will be entered into a sweepstakes to win a pair of wedding bands from Kay.

Los Angeles -- Online shopping content provider PriceGrabber announced it has appointed Jeff Goldstein as its president, charged with leading the new division of CPL Holdings that was created from a management-led buy-out from Experian.

Jeff Goldstein previously was managing partner at BGT Capital, an investment and advisory firm focused on the digital media and ecommerce sectors where he advised CPL Holdings.

Boston – According to a new report from the Universal Commerce Innovation Exchange and Aite Group, “Strategies for Mobile Investments – Ensuring Success,” retailers need to think differently about how they achieve ROI from their mobile commerce strategies. This different mode of thinking includes:

Dallas – Alliance Data Systems Corporation will provide private label credit card services for the US brands of Zale’s and acquire the existing card portfolio at a future date. In addition to providing private label credit card services for each Zale brand in the U.S., Alliance Data will provide turnkey credit marketing services to all Zale brands, including omni-channel and mobile services and technologies.

Matthews, N.C. -- Family Dollar reported lower net income in the third quarter of 2013 as its shoppers continue to hold off on discretionary spending.  The discounter also named Jason Reiser to the position of senior VP merchandising.

Family Dollar posted net income of $120.9 million, down 3% from $124.5 million in the year-ago period. Its results, however, topped expectations.

Sales rose 9% to $2.57 billion. Same-store sales increased 2.9% as a result of higher customer transaction totals and traffic volumes.

SOLON, Ohio — Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing announced that BV Investment Partners has become its majority shareholder, and Greg Farrar has been named ECRM's CEO as a result.

SAN FRANCISCO — Performance Marketing Brands, which owns and operates cash-back shopping sites that include Ebates.com, has appointed David Oppenheimer as the company’s new CFO. 

Most recently, Oppenheimer was CFO at ServiceSource, a global recurring revenue management and technology company. Oppenheimer will manage finance, accounting, HR, facilities and various operational and administrative functions for all PMB properties, including Ebates.com, Ebates Canada, FatWallet, AnyCoupons, One Receipt and Pushpins.