Data & Analytics

Cool weather affected sales at Lowe's for the first quarter ended May 3. 

Lowe’s saw net earnings of $540 million for the quarter, a 2.5% increase over the same period a year ago. Sales for the quarter decreased 0.5% to $13.1 billion from $13.2 billion in the year-ago quarter, while comparable-store sales decreased 0.7%. 

The world’s second largest home improvement retailer reported its results a day after rival Home Depot announced first-quarter sales of $19.1 billion, up 7.4%.

SHANGHAI — A day after Hershey announced plans to launch a new brand in China — marking the first time the company launches a new brand outside the U.S in its 120-year history — the company announced plans to open its Asia Innovation Center in Shanghai. 

DALLAS — Bon-Ton is turning to PeopleAnswers to help the company improve retail sales and lower employee turnover. Under the terms of a five-year software licensing agreement, the company will leverage PeopleAnswers’ HR-focused business solution to achieve its goals.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples was hurt by a stronger dollar and weak same-store sales in North America and Europe. 

The office products company reported that its first-quarter profit for the period ended May 4 was $169.9 million, down from $187.1 million in the year-ago period. Its results missed Wall Street forecasts.

Total sales fell 3.5% to $5.81 billion, also falling short of estimates. In North America, same-store sales were down 2% on weak demand for computers, software and technology accessories.

MAIDENHEAD, U.K. — SDL, a global company that helps brands maximize their online business, has released a cloud-based solution for e-commerce marketers called SDL Fredhopper 7.5. 

SDL Fredhopper 7.5 allows e-commerce marketers to modify their online stores based on new trends, consumer behavior and commercial drivers. Marketers can, therefore, use the tool to adapt an entire product catalog and target specific shoppers.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Dannon is leveraging IBM's cloud-based predictive analytics in an attempt claim the number one spot, currently held by Chobani, in the $7 billion U.S. yogurt market. 

PHOENIX — PetSmart reported a net income of $102 million for the first quarter ended May 5, a 7.4% increase from $95 million during the same period last year.

Total sales increased 5% to $1.7 billion, while comparable store sales grew 3.5%, benefitting from comparable transactions growth of 0.8%. 

Memphis – AutoZone reported net sales of $2.2 billion for third quarter fiscal 2013, representing a 4.5% increase from $2.1 billion during the same period in fiscal 2012. Meanwhile, net income increased almost 7% from $248.6 million to $265.6 million. Same store sales experienced a slight 0.1% dip compared to third quarter fiscal 2012.

Menlo Park, Calif. - Google will close down its Google Checkout online payment service for good in November of this year. The online service and technology provider says the move is part of a broader transition to its Google Wallet multichannel commerce platform.

Minneapolis – Target Corp. is testing a video streaming service with internal employees. Called Target Ticket beta, the service features 15,000 movies and TV shows for digital download.

The service, which is password-protected, presumably is designed to compete with Netflix and Hulu, among other digital video platforms.