Data & Analytics

Bentonville, Ark. -- A state attorney for California said Wednesday that Wal-Mart has agreed to pay a $2.1 million penalty for overcharging customers in the state.

Wal-Mart is being penalized for charging prices higher than those posted, violating a 2008 judgment for it to halt the overcharging.

Dallas -- The Neiman Marcus Group said Thursday that it will invest $28 million in Glamour Sales Holding, a Shanghai-based e-commerce company, as part of its strategy to gain a foothold in the Asian e-commerce marketplace.

“We are taking this bold step to establish Neiman Marcus Group as an international brand,” said Karen Katz, president and CEO, Neiman Marcus Group.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Shopping center owner Regency Centers said Thursday that it will install electric vehicle charging stations at 19 of its grocery-anchored and community shopping centers in Arizona, California, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington, D.C.

Regency is partnering with Ecotality to install Blink Level 2 EV charging stations at the 19 centers; the rollout is part of The EV Project, the largest national deployment of commercial and residential charging stations in major U.S. cities and metropolitan areas.

NEW YORK — Office Depot has teamed up with American Express to launch a prepaid reloadable card with no monthly or maintenance fees, will soon be available in retail at select Office Depot stores. The card will roll out in more than 1,100 stores across the United States in the coming weeks.

NEW YORK — Macy’s on Wednesday outlined a new initiative to grow its business with the Millennial generation (ages 13 to 30). The group spends an estimated $65 billion each year for the type of goods sold at Macy’s.

No surprise that traffic to retail websites falls off appreciably in February after the big holiday surge, but Target really took it on the chin and nearly fell out of online measurement firm comScore’s ranking of the top 50 U.S. Web properties.

Whiting, Ind. -- Survey results released Wednesday by CouponCabin.com found that 41% of U.S. adults who purchase apparel say that they only buy clothing when it’s on sale.

Nearly one-quarter (23%) of U.S. adults said their shopping strategy involves doing whatever they can to save money.

The Spring Shopping Survey, conducted online by Harris Interactive, contained the following highlights:

Memphis, Tenn. -- Fred’s reported Wednesday that net income for the fourth quarter jumped 14%, boosted by more robust sales and a favorable tax adjustment.

Profit for the quarter ended Jan. 28 rose to $9.8 million, from $8.6 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 2.5% to $497.6 million, missing Wall Street’s expected $498.4 million in sales.

Same-store sales were flat.

By Theodore J. Kobus III, Esq., [email protected]

New York -- Macy’s on Wednesday outlined a new initiative to grow its business with the Millennial generation (ages 13 to 30). The group spends an estimated $65 billion each year for the type of goods sold at Macy’s.