Data & Analytics

Chelmsford, Mass. -- British fashion retailer New Look has selected workforce management solutions from Kronos Inc. to maximize labor productivity and increase sales conversion rates in its 670 stores in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, and Belgium. Kronos will optimize the scheduling and manage the time and attendance of 16,000 full- and part-time staff and align labor to demand in each store.

Plano, Texas -- J.C. Penney Co. has launched a charitable initiative, called jcp cares, that will support a new cause each month by inviting customers to round up their purchases to the nearest whole dollar and donate the difference to the company's featured charity partner. The retailer will join its customers in giving back by making a contribution to its charity partner each month.

The program will be supported by a robust, integrated marketing campaign which will include digital, social, mobile, in-store and direct mail and e-mail components.

Goodwill Industries of Arkansas received a $350,000 grant this week thanks to the Walmart Foundation and the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G.

Goodwill is the primary charitable beneficiary of this year’s Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G, which got underway this week amid triple digit temperatures at the Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Ark. The funds the organization received will be used to support a program called Providing Opportunities for Women through Education and Resources (POWER).

NEW YORK — New York & Company, a specialty apparel chain with 541 retail stores in operation as of May 17, has named Laura Weil as EVP, COO, effective immediately. Weil, an executive consultant of New York & Company since Feb. 1, will continue to report to Greg Scott, CEO, and lead the company’s planning and allocation, sourcing, product life management, real estate, and information technology areas.

Walmart’s Bodega Aurrera stores in Mexico and Lider stores in Chile are among the most valuable Brands in Latin American, according to an extensive new report by global communications giant WPP.

BEAVERTON, Ore. — Nike reported that fourth quarter revenues rose 12%t, or 14% on a currency neutral basis, to $6.5 billion, the largest revenue quarter in the company's history. This was a result of higher revenues across every Nke brand geography, key category and product type.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Finish Line reported first quarter net sales of $319 million, an increase of 6.5% from the same period last year. Comparable-store sales were up 8% on top of a 6.5% increase last year.

The company reported earnings of 24 cents per diluted share.
   

New York -- Brookshire Brothers has launched a facility-wide lighting update, including in-store, parking lot, exterior signage and refrigerated case fixtures.

Using a combination of new linear fluorescent lighting and LED technologies -- from GE Lighting, East Cleveland, Ohio -- Brookshire will, once all of its stores have been completed, reduce its annual operating costs more than $235,000.

New York -- The Finish Line Inc. said Friday its fiscal first-quarter profit fell 25% as higher costs offset sales growth.

For the quarter ended June 2, the company earned $12.3 million, just beating Wall Street expectations, down from $16.4 million in the year-ago period.

Sales rose 6.5% to $319 million, from $299.5 million. Same-store sales were up 8%.

The company's cost of sales rose 9.3% to $214.4 million. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 11% to $84.8 million.

SEATTLE — William Meissner has resigned as CEO and board member of Jones Soda. Richard Eiswirth has also resigned as chairman of the board. Both resignations are effective Jne 30. Jennifer Cue will become the company's CEO. Mick Fleming, long-standing board member, will assume the role of chairman of the board.

The company also announced the elimination of the CFO position effective June 30. Carrie Traner, VP finance and principal financial officer will assume . Stapleton's duties.