Data & Analytics

By William Dudley, [email protected]

We, as a consumer society, are increasingly becoming “mail-order,” or more precisely, online patrons.  Companies such as Amazon, Ebay, Overstock.com, and other specialty retailers are putting increased pressure on traditional brick and mortar shops by offering customers mobile-friendly apps and browsers, adding convenience to their shopping experience.  

CHICAGO — As holiday sales and foot traffic historically account for about 20% of annual retail activity, a new report by ShopperTrak revealed that consumers will shop more and visit more stores during the peak holiday shopping months of November and December.

The overall drop in number of circulars continued this month, with a six percent decrease in the number of inserts being released to the market among selected retailers.  

The overall number of pages per market remained the same with a marginal increase compared to previous year. Walmart had the largest increase in pages per market with a larger focus on “Back to School” with 5 circulars with a prominent “Back to School” theme.  

WAYNE, N.J. — Get them in early and often seems to be the motto for Toys”R”Us this year, as the toy retailer is hoping new initiatives will encourage customers shop for holiday toys well before December.

Retailers plan to hire an increased number of temporary workers this holiday season, according to a survey by the global consulting firm Hay Group.

"Retailers are betting that 2012 is going to be a great holiday season," said Craig Rowley, vp and global practice leader for Hay Group’s retail practice. "After four years of economic turbulence, they have figured out how to operate in an uncertain business environment and are calm and cool, knowing that they are ready, as they head into the holidays."

Atlanta -- First Data Corp. reported Wednesday that consumers responded well to back-to-school and summer clearance sales in August, prompting an increase in August same-store consumer spending by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT, closed-loop prepaid cards and checks at U.S. merchant locations.

Thorofare, N.J. -- Supply chain solution-provider Checkpoint Systems said Wednesday it has been chosen by Tesco to implement a global EAS program to improve on-shelf availability of products, open merchandising and the consumer shopping experience.

Hampstead, Md. -- JoS. A. Bank Clothiers said Wednesday it has launched Josbankformal.com, a new tuxedo rental website.

The site will allow couples to register their weddings and access an event dashboard to monitor order status and communicate with a wedding party through emails or text messaging.  

Event information will flow seamlessly to stores, where associates can access existing events or create new ones, and confirm orders.

Bethesday, Md. -- ATM provider Allpoint Network, a Cardtronics affiliate, said Wednesday that it has entered Canada with its agreement with 7-Eleven Canada to host surcharge-free Allpoint Network ATMs in its more than 470 stores in the country.

Earlier this year, 7-Eleven named Cardtronics its exclusive ATM service provider in Canada.