Data & Analytics

ARMONK, N.Y. — Mobile commerce increased more than 13% in the first quarter of 2012, according to IBM's first retail economic indicator, a cloud-based analytics report, which examines the state of the online retail sector.

The increase in mobile commerce sales, along with improved consumer attitudes toward the digital buying experience, indicate that consumers will be shopping more with their smartphones and other mobile devices in the near future.

Other highlights of the report include:
 

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark’s president and CEO Larry Merlo told analysts Wednesday morning that he was “very pleased” with its first quarter, as results across both the retail and pharmacy benefit management segments came in at the high end of expectations and its integrated assets continue to demonstrate success and improve patient lives.

Retailers are in business to sell products customers want, except when they’re not, which appears to be the case with the retailer’s decision to stop selling Amazon.com’s hugely popular Kindle devices.

Philadelphia -- McDonald’s and Wal-Mart Stores are among the Top 20 companies in the world for leadership, taking the No. 6 and No. 8 spots respectively, according to an annual study by global management firm Hay Group. The two chains were the only retailers to make the list.

Armonk, N.Y. -- IBM  announced a definitive agreement to acquire Tealeaf Technology, San Francisco, a provider of customer experience analytics software that helps organizations to gain intelligence and react more swiftly to consumer trends in today's digitally transformed marketplace. Financial details were not disclosed.

The acquisition is expected to close in second quarter 2012.

Redlands, Calif. -- Atlanta-based Arby's Restaurant Group has licensed Esri’s Business Analyst software and business data to help with corporate decision making. Arby's is using the location-based system to more accurately assess its restaurants and trade areas including growing, remodeling, and relocating restaurants.

"Esri's Business Analyst has saved our GIS analyst countless hours and has had a positive impact on the Business Development department," said Dave Conklin, senior VP business development, Arby's Restaurant Group.

Houston -- After a thorough evaluation of major leading profitability systems, Cabela’s Inc. has selected Acorn Systems’ Performance Analyzer because of its expertise in profitability management and its ability to provide a flexible, scalable and elegant platform to drive true net SKU profitability analytics.

Atlanta -- Aldata announced that Raley’s Family of Fine Stores, a California-based supermarket chain, has expanded its use of Aldata Space Automation to create and maintain category- to store-specific planograms for high-volume categories, and, in turn, enable broader vendor collaboration.

On Monday, Barnes & Noble Inc. and Microsoft announced a strategic partnership in a new unnamed Barnes & Noble subsidiary that, for the time being, is being identified as Newco. Here some comments from retail consultant Maggie Gilliam (Gilliam Insights) on the new venture:

Woonsocket, R.I. -- CVS Caremark reported Wednesday that profit for the quarter ended March 31 rose 9% to $776 million, compared with $713 million in the year-ago period.

Revenues surged 20% to a record $30.8 billion boosted by rival Walgreen’s termination of its Express Scripts program, which moved Walgreen customers over to CVS. The results beat Wall Street’s expected $30.3 billion in revenue for the quarter.

Same-store sales climbed more than 8%.