Data & Analytics

Virtual Piggy’s Oink has appointed Trent Walker to VP business development for key accounts.

Walker has more than 10 years of payments and finance industry experience, working with many of the world’s leading corporations, including Google and Facebook. For the past six years, Walker has held strategic leadership roles within the financial services department at Arvato, the $6 billion per year division of Bertlesmann.

Coppell, Texas – The Container Store increased net income by about 800% year-over-year during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, to $18.34 million from $2.09 million. A substantial drop in effective tax rate, as well as lower net interest expense, helped drive the impressive growth in net income.

Net sales slipped from $217.02 million to $216.82 million, while same-store sales climbed 1.4%. The company cited severe weather as reducing sales.

Chicago -- Consumer confidence rose significantly in the first quarter of 2014, according to a MarketPulse survey from IRI. All age groups are reporting a more positive outlook — especially Millennials. A distressed consumer segment since the economic downturn began, this age group is showing the greatest rise in confidence.

New York -- Coach Inc. third-quarter net income dropped 20% to $190.7 million, from $238.9 million a year earlier, amid increased competition from Michael Kors and others.

Revenue for the quarter ended March 29 fell 7.4% to $1.1 billion, compared to analysts’ $1.13 billion estimate. Same-store sales in North America fell 21%. Sales will continue to fall through the rest of the year, the company said.

Irvine, Calif. – PriceSpider has expanded availability of its Where-to-Buy (WTB) services. Previously available in the consumer electronics space, the PriceSpider WTB service is now also available and in use in the home appliance, toy, automotive parts, sporting goods and consumer packaged goods markets.

Amazon has launched a Wearable Technology store, which it describes as a one-stop shop where customers can discover the latest in wearable technology and research wearable devices including activity trackers, smart watches and wearable cameras.

In addition to the large selection of items from brands including Samsung, Jawbone and GoPro, the store features products from emerging brands such as Basis and Misfit as well as devices coming soon from brands such as Narrative and Bionym.

Carle Place, N.Y. – A shift in the Easter holiday from the third to the fourth quarter and severe weather negatively impacted financial results at 1-800-Flowers.com during the third quarter of fiscal 2014. 1-800-Flowers reported a net loss of $1.42 million, compared to net profit of $2.64 million in the prior fiscal year.

Net sales dropped 9% to $139.92 million, from $144.55 million.

Although bad weather hurt some retailers during the crucial fourth quarter, it didn’t stop Michaels Stores from seeing comparable store sales increase 4.6% for the period ended Feb. 1.

Comparable store sales were driven by a 4.2% increase in the company's average ticket and a 0.5% increase in transactions, partially offset by a 10 basis point impact from deferred custom framing revenue.  

Net sales increased 2% to $1.55 billion from $1.52 billion during the quarter, which had a 53rd week that generated an estimated $66 million in net sales.