Data & Analytics

Dallas -- Family Express has improved its inventory management operations significantly by deploying Retalix Ltd.’s demand-driven replenishment solution across its convenience stores in Northwestern Indiana, Retalix said.

Redlands, Calif. -- Ascena Retail Group, whose brands include Dressbarn, Maurices, and Justice, is integrating Esri GIS analysis tools, demographic data, and map visualization into its business processes.

Blue Bell, Pa. -- PDS, a developer of human resource, benefits, recruiting, and payroll systems, announced that convenience store operator Wawa has gone live with PDS’ Vista HRMS 4.1 application. The chain has been a customer of PDS since 1987.

Dallas -- Zale Corp reported a narrower third-quarter loss on Wednesday.

Zale’s net loss narrowed by about a half to $4.5 million in the third quarter ended April 30, from $9 million a year ago.

Revenues for the quarter ended April 30, 2012 rose 8.1% to $445 million, compared with $412 million in the same period last year. Same-store sales increased 8%.

Columbus, Ohio -- Big Lots Inc. posted a lower-than-expected adjusted profit for the first quarter and cuts its full-year earnings outlook.

Big Lots' first-quarter earnings fell 22% to $40.7 million, from $52.5 million a year ago. Sales increased 5.4% to $1.29 billion. Same-store sales edged down 0.8%.

Net profit margin declined to 3.1% from 4.3% a year ago.
 

Minneapolis -- Target announced it will now offer shoppers the shopkick app via their smartphones. The service will allow shoppers to earn points for shopping at Target that can be redeemed for a variety of rewards.

“In our test launch, Target guests in seven cities had the opportunity to experience shopkick at Target and we received rave reviews. Now guests nationwide can start earning valuable points just by shopping our stores,” said Bonnie Gross, Target VP marketing and guest engagement.

Minneapolis -- Best Buy said its profit for the first quarter fell 26% amid higher restructuring charges and lower comparable store sales. However, adjusted earnings topped analysts' expectations and the company maintained its earnings outlook for fiscal 2013.

Best Buy said its profit fell to $158 million in the quarter ended May 5, from $212 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 2% to $11.61 billion, helped by an extra week, and sales of tablets and mobile phones. International sales fell on weakness in China and Europe.

Cincinnati -- Macy's Inc. will start selling some of its private brand merchandise directly to shoppers in China through a deal with an online retailer there.

The chain said it will the goods through a Macy’s section on Omei.com, a newly established China-based online retailer of in-season luxury and fashion brands operated by VIPStore Co., a Chinese e-commerce firm and parent company of Omei.com

MINNEAPOLIS — Best Buy reported GAAP net earnings from continuing operations of $161 million, or 47 cents per diluted share, for the first quarter ended May 5, compared with net earnings from continuing operations of $255 million, or 64 cents per diluted share for the prior-year period.

SAN FRANCISCO — Williams-Sonoma's net revenues increased 6.1% to $818 million from $771 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 ended May 1, 2011. Comparable brand revenue increased 5.4%. Diluted earnings per share was 30 cents versus 29 cents in the first quarter of 2011. On a non-GAAP basis, EPS for the quarter increased 13% to 34 cents versus 30 cents in the same period last year.