Data & Analytics

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears has launched SearsLocalAd.com, an online service that provides customers with access to additional local deals beyond the weekly Sears print circular or Sears.com. The online shopping portal is dedicated to local customers, allowing them to shop smarter by previewing new local deals updated every week, and includes enhancements for Sears' Shop Your Way Rewards members.

SAN FRANCISCO — Shoppers who use their Visa cards when making purchases at discount stores and grocery stores/supermarkets will no longer have to sign for them if they spend less than $50. Beginning in October, discount stores and grocery stores/supermarkets in the U.S. can accept Visa cards for transactions up to $50 without requiring a cardholder signature or PIN, or providing a customer receipt unless requested by the cardholder.

Montreal -- More than 80% of U.S consumers more likely to become loyal customers to retailers that provide an integrated experience across channels, according to a study by Hybris, a multichannel commerce and communication software provider. In other findings, high shipping costs are the biggest deterrent to online purchases, while easy navigation and simple checkout are the biggest factors influencing purchases.

New York -- The mild winter weather across much of the country helped to offset the negative impact that rising gas prices traditionally have on convenience store visits, according to The NPD Group. NPD’s Convenience Store Monitor reports that in the first calendar quarter of 2012 compared with same quarter a year ago, c-store traffic increased by five percentage points from a year ago quarter and by six percentage points at major oil chain c-stores.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears has launched SearsLocalAd.com, an online service that provides customers with access to additional local deals beyond the weekly Sears print circular or Sears.com. The online shopping portal is dedicated to local customers, allowing them to shop smarter by previewing new local deals updated every week, and includes enhancements for Sears' Shop Your Way Rewards members.

Chelmsford, Mass. -- Hannaford Bros. Co., the second-largest New England-based supermarket chain, has enhanced its workforce management suite of solutions from Kronos Inc.

Eastleigh, United Kingdom -- SAP AG announced that British multinational home-improvement retailing company B&Q has gone live with the SAP Forecasting and Replenishment application. The deployment is part of the chain’s "Project Clover" business transformation program.

The California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) this week filed a lawsuit against current and former Walmart executives stemming from the April 22 New York Times article, which chronicled the company’s alleged use of bribes to accelerate expansion in Mexico and efforts by top executives to quash an investigation when the situation was called to their attention.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets experienced a jump in its net income and operating income during the first quarter ended March 31, the retailer said.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Supermarket retailer Harris Teeter experienced a boost in second-quarter sales, as well as sales for the first half of fiscal year 2012, the company said.

Sales for the second quarter ended April 1, sales rose 6.7% to $1.12 billion, compared with the year-ago period, while the 26-week period experienced a sales boost of 7.6% to $2.24 billion, compared with the same period last year.