Data & Analytics

New York -- A report released Tuesday by Capital Business Credit found that, overall, importers and manufacturers who sell to America's major retailers are preparing for a surprisingly stronger winter shopping season than expected.

According to the quarterly "Global Retail Manufacturers and Importers Survey," 77% of importers of retail goods believe the fall/winter season will be the same or stronger than last year.

Washington, D.C. -- Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 6.3% in August, compared with the same month last year, and 2012 should show an increase of 4.8% over last year, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released Monday by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif. — 99 Cents Only Stores is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Since its founding in 1982, the chain has expanded to 302 extreme value stores in four states consisting of 220 stores in California, 37 in Texas, 29 in Arizona, and 15 in Nevada. As part of the celebration, the company is converting 40 semi-trucks from diesel to clean-burning compressed natural gas. Additionally, the company is offering a free reusable shopping bag to customers who visit the store this weekend and purchase at least $9.99 worth of merchandise.

HOUSTON — Stage Stores has signed an agreement with Alliance Data Retail Services, making it the provider of a full suite of private label credit card services geared toward driving sales and brand loyalty to grow Stage Stores’ customer base. In addition, Alliance Data and Stage Stores will collaborate to develop and launch a new, simplified loyalty program, with enhanced benefits and incentives exclusive to cardholders.

RESTON, Va. — U.S. online retail recorded its eleventh consecutive quarter of positive year-over-year growth and seventh consecutive quarter of double-digit growth, according to ComScore.

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

PLANO, Texas — PepsiCo's Frito-Lay North America has launched of a gluten-free recipe section on its corporate website (www.fritolay.com) to help make snacking easier and more enjoyable for consumers with Celiac Disease or gluten sensitivities. The new recipe section on the company's website now features gluten free recipes that can be paired or made with Frito-Lay's gluten free snacks, such as Lay's Classic potato chips, Fritos Original corn chips and Tostitos Scoops! tortilla chips.

Houston -- Stage Stores and Alliance Data Systems Corp. announced Monday they have forged private-label credit card renewal agreement.

San Jose, Calif. -- Beall's has agreed to use VeriFone Systems' recently introduced MX 915 payment and media-enabled solutions system. Beall’s also will be complementing the MX 915 with VeriFone HQ, an estate management solution allowing the retailer to keep stores up to date with evolving payment and mobile solutions.

City of Commerce, Calif. -- 99 Cents Only Stores said Monday it will convert 40 semi-trucks from diesel to clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG).

This new fleet, according to the discounter, is the largest private Class-8 CNG trucking fleet in Southern California.

The move comes as part of 99 Cents Only’s plan to become a greener organization and ties in with the chain’s 30th anniversary since its debut in 1982.

CHICAGO — Walgreens on Saturday will be hosting its first Mobile Photo Hack Day — a contest between mobile photo application developers in creating a "groundbreaking" application using Walgreens' QuickPrints SDK.

All entries will be reviewed by a panel of notable judges:

• Kobie Hatcher, solutions director at AIM Consulting, a technology solutions and services company providing resources in flexible configurations;