Data & Analytics

ROANOKE, Va. — Advance Auto Parts reported an 8.2% decrease in its second quarter earnings per diluted share to $1.34 from $1.46 for the same period last year.

SEATTLE — Zoomingo, the shopping discovery app that helps consumers find the best deals in their local stores and online, has launched a new "back to school" section that lets parents and young adults find the best deals for their back to school essentials, whether they are on the go from their smartphone or from the convenience of their home computer. The new back to school section is available both in English as well as in Spanish through a newly released Spanish language version of Zoomingo's Android application.

Washington — The National Retail Federation, in partnership with its member companies, has launched a new initiative to address the challenges and opportunities of mobile retailing.

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- ForeSee, a provider of technology-driven customer experience analytics, announced that it is working with leading multichannel retailer HSN to measure and analyze the customer experience of its mobile-optimized site and mobile apps with ForeSee's new Mobile On-Exit technology.

Seattle -- Nordstrom on Thursday reported an 11% decline in its second quarter profit, with its performance affected by the timing of its biggest sale of the year. The retailer also raised its profit and sales outlook for the year, and said it would accelerate the expansion of its Nordstrom Rack outlet-store concept.

Reston, Va. -- U.S. online retail spending reached $43.2 billion for the second quarter, up 15% over a year ago, according to comScore.

It was the eleventh consecutive quarter of positive year-over-year growth and seventh consecutive quarter of double-digit growth. The top-performing online product categories were: digital content & subscriptions, consumer electronics, flowers, greetings and gifts, computer hardware, apparel and Accessories. Each category grew at least 16% over a year ago.

Dublin, Calif. -- Epicor Software Corp., a global provider of business software solutions for manufacturing, distribution, retail and services organizations, and Ace Hardware Corp., the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the industry, announced an extended three-year agreement.

Under the arrangement, Epicor serves as Ace Hardware’s only recommended point of sale solution provider, with Epicor Eagle business management software offered to Ace’s retailer owners.

Stamford, Conn. -- GE Capital Retail Bank, a consumer lending unit of General Electric Co., and Sam’s Club announced their multi-year agreement to continue providing the Sam’s Club credit card program to their Advantage and Business members.

GE Capital’s Retail Finance business will continue to manage the Sam’s Club relationship and service the account.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Corp. reported a better-than-expected second-quarter profit amid efforts to control costs. Sales, however, disappointed.

The retailer posted a second-quarter profit of $240 million, down from $299 million in the year-ago period.

Net sales were $4.2 billion, down 1.0% from last year. Same-store sales decreased 2.7% for the quarter.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark’s solid second-quarter performance and outlook has prompted the company to raise yet narrow its guidance for the year. CVS Caremark now expects to deliver adjusted earnings per share of $3.32 to $3.38 for the full year 2012, up from its previous guidance of $3.23 to $3.33.