Data & Analytics

New York -- Multibillion dollar transactions drove U.S. retail and consumer deals during the first quarter of 2013, according to PwC US.

For the three month period ending March 31, 2013, there were a total of 27 deals in the retail and consumer sector with disclosed values greater than $50 million, accounting for $39.8 billion in deal value. Deal volume increased 59% from the 17 deals during the first quarter 2012, while deal value rose 590% from $5.8 billion in first quarter 2012.  

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group announced that it has named Liz Zale as senior VP in a newly created role overseeing corporate affairs and communications, effective May 1.  

Zale's responsibilities will include supervision of Simon’s investor relations, public relations, corporate communications, and government relations functions.
 
She previously served as senior VP investor relations for Nielsen Holdings.

Lodi, N.J. -- Charter Realty & Development said that Blink Fitness will open a 20,000-sq.-ft. facility in Lodi, N.J.

The fitness facility operator has grown to 13 locations in the New York Tri-State area, with another approximately 15 openings scheduled over the next 12 months.

Austin, Texas -- Survey results by coupon site RetailMeNot revealed Monday that the vast majority of consumers believe that saving money is important.

According to the Shoppers Trend Report, conducted by The Omnibus Co. for RetailMeNot, 93% of consumers say they believe that saving money in their everyday lives is important. The survey also found that 61% are saving about the same or more money per month than they were five years ago.

St. Paul, Minn. -- Manhattan Associates said Monday that outdoor chain Gander Mountain has selected its Enterprise Order Management and Store Inventory & Fulfillment solutions to help drive omni-channel enterprise transformation.

Gander is using the Manhattan solutions to create a seamless experience for its customers across channels with a single view of inventory, and to allow Gander shoppers to control how and when they take delivery of Gander merchandise.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Corp. said Monday that it has opened a new IT office in Silicon Valley. The 52,000-sq.-ft. office space in Milpitas, Calif., will be an extension of the IT team at the company’s Menomonee Falls, Wis., corporate office and will initially employ 30-plus Kohl’s associates with the potential to accommodate future growth, said the retailer.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Monday by the Commerce Dept. said that March consumer spending in the U.S. advanced more than forecast – rising 0.2% after a 0.7% increase in February.

Tampa, Fla. — Publix has selected Applied Data Corporation’s InterScale scales management software to transmit data to and from the barcode labeling scales in its stores. 

ADC is a leading provider of fresh item management (FIM), recipe management and scales management software for the grocery retail and food service industries. 

Gander Mountain, the nation’s largest retail network of stores for hunting, fishing, camping and marine products and accessories, is turning to Manhattan Associates to help it enable its omni-channel strategy.

Gander will use Manhattan Associates' enterprise order management and store inventory and fulfillment solutions to create a seamless experience for its customers across all channels by giving them a single view of inventory and letting them control how and when they take delivery of Gander merchandise.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s has opened a new IT office in the Silicon Valley to support its online sales growth and strategic focus on omni-channel initiatives, including process automation and the re-platforming of Kohls.com.

The 52,000-sq.-ft. office space in Milpitas, Calif., will be an extension of the IT team at the company’s Menomonee Falls, Wis., corporate office and will initially employ 30-plus Kohl’s associates with the potential to accommodate future growth, said the retailer.