Data & Analytics

New York – Beauty shoppers take word-of-mouth recommendations more than any other medium. According to a new survey from Tremor Video, about half of beauty shoppers buy to replenish their supply, while many shoppers are in-market because they’re looking to try a new product.

The Woodlands, Texas – Conn’s Inc. reported net income of $27.73 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, up 57% from $17.66 million in the same quarter the prior fiscal year. The retailer intends to open 15 to 20 new stores during fiscal 2015.

Net sales grew 45% to $301.63 million from $250.34 million, and same-store sales increase 33.4%. Conn’s said significant sales growth was reported across all major product categories during the quarter, and the company opened six new stores in that time.

GameStop CEO Paul Raines remained optimistic about the company’s fourth quarter results, saying that the launch of new consoles in 2013 marked the return of innovation to the video game category and that the company’s market share increased to an all-time high.

Atlanta -- Manhattan Associates announced that Floor & Decor, a leading specialty retailer in the hard surface flooring market, has selected Manhattan Associates' transportation management system (TMS) and warehouse management System (WMS) solutions to unify its distribution systems under a robust platform that will support the company's growth. Manhattan's solutions will enable the company to gain more visibility across all networks and automate distribution processes.

A week after it divested Lands’ End, Sears announced plans to launch Now + Here, a fast fashion shop available in Sears stores across the country, on Sears.com and Shopyourway.com, the second week of April. The Now + Here shops offer a new shop environment with monthly deliveries.

The move comes as the company continues to transform into a member-centric retailer leveraging Shop Your Way and integrated retail.

Wellesley, Mass. -- Mobiquity Technologies, Inc. has released its partner software development kit (SDK) designed to allow retailers and brands to leverage Mobiquity Networks’ (a wholly owned subsidiary) Bluetooth LE Beacon network. Mobiquity Networks already owns and operates a location-based, mobile advertising Bluetooth network in shopping malls, which supports Bluetooth LE Beacon technology.  

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart showcased its futuristic truck at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Ky. The Walmart Advanced Vehicle Experience is a tractor-trailer combination that features leading edge aerodynamics, an advanced turbine-powered range extending series hybrid powertrain, electrified auxiliary components, and sophisticated control systems, developed in support of the company’s sustainability program.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation (NRF) told the Senate on March 26 that it’s time for an overhaul of the nation’s credit- and debit-card system, saying banks’ insistence on cards that use a signature instead of a Personal Identification Number (PIN) puts merchants and their customers at risk.