Data & Analytics

New York -- MSP Technology, Huntington, N.Y., a leader in the development of energy-efficient dehumidification and energy recovery technology, announced that it has furnished two 20,000 cfm roof-mounted dehumidification units to Walmart and Sam’s Club supermarket locations in Puerto Rico. The units replace the locations’ gas-driven desiccant systems.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Despite running fewer stores, Rite Aid grew its sales and narrowed its losses during the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2012, thanks to a boost in its loyalty card program membership, a longer fiscal year and the continuing dispute between Walgreens and Express Scripts.

Seattle -- Nordstrom Inc. revealed Thursday that it is leading a $16.4 million investment round in online men’s apparel brand Bonobos. The announcement follows last year’s purchase of online private sale site HauteLook, giving Nordstrom another leg up in the e-commerce arena.

Nordstrom is selling the Bonobos label's clothing at its stores and online. Bonobos is the largest apparel brand launched on the internet in the United States.

San Francisco -- A new study released Thursday by MarketTools found that 63% of shoppers say they have changed their shopping habits in the past six months, with the majority reporting changes to seek more value.

According to the study, to save money on grocery bills, respondents reported that they buy items with coupons (80%); buy store brands instead of name brands (62%); use store loyalty cards that offer discounts (62%); buy items only when they are on sale (58%); and buy more large-sized products (43%).

Washington, D.C. -- Figures released Thursday by the Labor Department showed that more Americans than forecast filed applications for jobless benefits last week, reinforcing concern that the labor-market recovery will be slow to develop.

Consumer confidence, however, has held up, as the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index was minus 32.8 in the period ended April 8, second only to the prior week’s minus 31.4 as the highest since March 2008.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart executives, at its Thursday webcast of its 2012 International Conference for the investment community, said its emphasis in international markets will be on improving results in existing markets as opposed to focusing on entering new territories.

"Our focus this year in particular has been on improving returns with our existing businesses," said Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart International. He said the company is working on the key markets of China and Brazil.

Camp Hill, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. reported Thursday that it narrowed its loss in the fourth quarter to $163.8 million, from a loss of $205.7 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 10.7% to $7.15 billion from $6.46 billion, beating Wall Street’s expected $7.12 billion in revenue. Same-store sale increased 3%.

For the full year, Rite Aid reported a loss of $368.6 million and revenues of $26.1 billion.

Tokyo -- Japan’s Fast Retailing Co., parent of Uniqlo, reported Thursday that its net profit for the Sept.-Feb. period surged 38.7% to $705 million as an usually cold weather bolstered sales at Japan stores. Same-store sales in the period rose 2.3%.

The company lifted its full-year profit forecast to $1.7 billion from a previously announced $1.6 billion for the fiscal year ending in August, surpassing analysts’ projections.

Minneapolis -- A Thursday report in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune said that Best Buy’s investigations into former CEO Brian Dunn’s personal conduct includes allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a female employee.

According to the newspaper, Dunn is said to have used company resources in the course of the relationship. It quoted an unnamed source as saying “the company is investigating multiple complaints that Dunn behaved inappropriately with a female subordinate.”

New York -- A report released Thursday by Deloitte found that consumer spending posted an increase in March, reversing a trend of declines.

The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index climbed higher in March, marking only the third monthly increase over the past 12 months. The Index tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending.