Data & Analytics

New York -- Target Corp. turned in a less than stellar performance in December, recording flat same-store sales. But Costco Wholesale Corp. and TJX shone, exemplifying an up-and-down season in which consumers backed off buying amid concerns about a “fiscal cliff” and the uncertain economic climate.

New York -- The hunt is on for a new chief executive at Safeway following the resignation of longtime chairman and CEO Steve Burd.

Burd, 62, is scheduled to retire at the company’s annual stockholders meeting on May 14 and will aid in the search of his successor that is said to include internal and external candidates. Burd joined Safeway in October 1992 as president and was appointed CEO in May of the following year.

New York -- As cash-strapped consumers curtailed holiday spending, department store retailers felt the pinch and some performed better than others in an uncertain environment. The strongest performances were turned in by Macy’s and Nordstrom, both topping estimates.

Overall, analysts looked for 3.3% same-store sales growth for December across 17 chains, down from 4.2% growth in December 2011, according to Thomson Reuters.
     

SALT LAKE CITY — Former KPMG technology consultant Bhargav Shah is Overstock.com’s new SVP of technology. Shah replaces Sam Peterson, who will remain with the company for a transition period.

Shah will spearhead development as well as the implementation of information technology initiatives within the organization. He will also influence business strategy through innovative use of technology.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — Dole’s entry into the annual New Year’s Day Rose Parade took home the top prize for the third consecutive year.

Dole’s float, called “Dreaming of Paradise,” received the parade’s Sweepstakes Trophy, the highest honor given for the float deemed to be the most beautiful entry.

SEATTLE — Amazon contends that 2012 was a record-breaking holiday season for businesses selling on its popular online Webstore platform.

Amazon reports that more than two million third-party sellers worldwide experienced record holiday growth, and unit growth solely from sellers in the U.S. increased more than 40% year-over-year. For the year, sellers on Amazon sold hundreds of millions of units worth tens of billions of dollars worldwide, according to the company, which did not provide an actual sales figure.

An annual holiday e-retail satisfaction report produced by analytic's firm ForeSee showed considerable improvement at Target this year following a challenging 2011.

Amazon.com, LLBean.com and QVC.com were the top three retailers on ForeSee’s Annual Holiday E-Retail Satisfaction survey while Target was in the upper one third of companies analyzed.

After year of record online sales it’s not surprising that returns are also forecast to hit new highs, especially this week.

WATSONVILLE, Calif. — EVP and president of Nordstrom Direct Jamie Nordstrom has joined West Marine's board of directors. Nordstrom also was appointed as the fourth member of West Marine's governance and compensation committee.

His board and committee service is expected to begin on the first meeting scheduled in 2013, most likely in March, and Nordstrom, like all the other directors, will stand for re-election to the board at West Marine's 2013 annual meeting of stockholders.

Long Beach, Calif. -- Epson America announced that Barry Wise, a long-time Epson consultant and retail industry leader, passed away on December 28, 2012.

"Barry was a one-of-a kind visionary who made an indelible mark in the retail technology industry," said Mike Helm, director of sales for Epson's business systems division and long time colleague of Wise. "Barry was passionate and insightful about how technology could make a difference to retailers. Epson has lost a dear friend and a valuable partner.