Data & Analytics

Thanks to an agreement between Meijer and Voyager network owner U.S. Bank, Fleet drivers can now use their Voyager network fuel cards at Meijer gas stations in the Midwest.

Cardholders presenting U.S. Bank Fleet Cards or those issued by any of the bank’s Voyager network partners can now make purchases at 189 Meijer fueling sites in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.

CINCINNATI, Ohio — DunnhumbyUSA, a global leader in building brand value for consumer goods and retail companies, has made changes to its Cincinnati-based senior leadership.

The company has hired Ernest Leffler as VP of global infrastructure and Michele Weissman as VP of client solutions. The company has also promoted Jack Engle to the role of SVP of global products and services.

New York -- With 25% of annual flower sales (for an estimated $1.9 billion) tied to Mother’s Day, it’s no wonder the holiday looms large for 1-800-Flowers. IBM is helping the retailer simplify Mother’s Day gift-giving for its digital customers no matter where or how they shop, including through the website, with a mobile device or via social media.

RESTON, Va. — E-commerce sales grew 13% year-over-year to $50.2 billion, marking the fourteenth consecutive quarter of positive year-over-year growth and tenth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth, according to comScore. It was also just the second quarter on record to surpass $50 billion in spending.

The survey also revealed that nearly half (48%) of time spent in the retail category occurred on mobile devices, with smartphones (34%) outpacing tablets (14%).

THOROFARE, N.J. — Checkpoint Systems, a global supplier of shrink management, merchandise visibility and apparel labeling solutions for the retail industry, has appointed Jeff Richard as EVP and CFO. Richard will replace Raymond D. Andrews, who is retiring from the company July 31. Andrews will remain with the company during the transition.

Central Garden & Pet's CEO is not settling for the company's margins and bottom line results, despite reporting second-quarter net sales of $498.2 million, a 7% increase over the comparable fiscal 2012 period.

The company's net income for the second quarter ended March 30 was $22.2 million, compared with net income of $21.6 million in the second quarter of 2012. 

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings has appointed former Eli Lilly CIO Jeff Balagna as its new EVP and CIO. In his new role, Balagna will be responsible for all technology and infrastructure initiatives for the company in its support centers and in-store.

New York -- TJX Cos., The Buckle and Zumiez all reported better-than-expected same-store sales for April, even as concerns about the job market bit into other retailers’ results.
   
TJX Cos. said that same-store sales in April were up 8% on strong customer traffic, better than 6.8% increase that analysts had expected. For the four weeks ended May 4, total revenue rose 9% to $2 billion.