Data & Analytics

Midvale, Utah — Increased selling, general and administrative expenses were a key factor in Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings Inc. swinging to a net loss of $3.37 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to net profit of $4.46 million in the same period a year earlier. The retailer plans to open eight new stores during the fiscal year, including four in the second quarter.

Net sales dropped 3% to $132.4 million from $136.5 million. Same store sales decreased by 18.1%, primarily as a result of the decline in demand for firearms and ammunition.

Lowe's continues making advances in retail innovation with its new Innovation Labs and the first concept to come out of the lab — the Lowe's Holoroom.

Lowe's created the lab to build new technology to solve common consumer frustrations while working alongside startups, universities, specialized professionals and other companies.

New York — Managed analytics provider Ugam is releasing a comprehensive electronics category intelligence solution which provides product pricing, assortment and content intelligence to help electronics retailers determine which products to offer, at what prices to sell them, and how to best describe them in order to optimize margins and maximize profitable conversion rates.

Digital business company Acquia launched Acquia Campaign Cloud, offering customers a software as a service that it says is faster and more affordable than similar products like the Adobe Marketing Cloud.

With a single dashboard that’s meant to help manage client campaigns, as well as templates and multichannel delivery opportunities, and the company’s Cloud Site Factory powers the Campaign Cloud. The new service also comes with Acquia Lift and the recently acquired TruCentric, which personalizes experiences with content.

INDIANAPOLIS — Simon, a leading global retail real estate company, has announced a collaboration with elevate Digital, a developer of interactive digital technology, to install "digital concierge" solutions in a number of Simon's U.S. retail properties.

The interactive displays will provide Simon mall visitors with a virtual way-finding experience to help them navigate the mall, find deals, events, promotions and also take relevant information with them on a mobile device.

Chicago — BrightTag, a provider of real-time, cross-channel marketing technologies, has changed its name to Signal to reflect its focus on helping marketers strengthen the signals between brands and customers. The company also unveiled its Open Data Platform, a patented suite of products designed to help brands make their data and marketing technologies work better together to drive increased engagement, loyalty and conversions.

Hilo, Hawaii — KTA Super Stores, a six-store supermarket chain serving the main island of Hawaii, has finalized upgrading Symphony EYC G.O.L.D. to the latest software version. The new capabilities including direct store delivery (DSD) and invoice reconciliation are the first step in KTA’s incorporation of the latest enhanced version of Symphony EYC’s merchandise management system, which is planned to be implemented across all of its island stores.  

Houston — Francesca’s Holdings Corp. on Tuesday reported a 21% drop in profit during the first quarter of fiscal 2014, to $8.6 million from $10.9 million.  Harsh winter weather and higher expenses related to its boutique business contributed to the decline in net income. The company also reduced its annual outlook.

Francesca’s plans to open 85 new stores during fiscal 2014, including 16 in the second quarter.