Data & Analytics

Import volume at the nation’s major retail container ports grew 6.5% in October over the same month last year despite the government shutdown. Year-over-year increases are expected to continue for the remainder of the year, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

New York -- In the first 10 months of 2013, e-commerce sales are up 17% from the same period last year, according to the Visa Spending Intentions survey. To-date in 2013, Visa domestic e-commerce transactions exceeded one billion dollars on 211 days, an increase of 19% from 2012.

In other findings:

Electrolux North America has recently begun production on its first Memphis, Tenn.-made home cooking appliances.

The inaugural products produced at the Memphis facility, the Frigidaire and Frigidaire Gallery slide–in ranges, rolled off the assembly line, were crated and loaded onto trucks for warehousing and retail distribution throughout the United States. This marks the culmination of a two-year construction effort of the $266 million facility.

Los Angeles -- Sport Chalet reported a loss for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 of $3.0 million, compared to net income of $0.8 million in the year-ago period. Sales decreased 5.2% to $86.7 million from $91.5 million, with a 2.5% comparable store sales decrease. Among the few bright spots was a 32.4% increase in online sales, and a better-than-expected performance by the chain's new store concept.  

Brown Shoe Company-owned brand Sam Edelman is stepping into the digital arena. The footwear, accessory and soon-to-be apparel brand has launched a dedicated e-commerce site which will allow consumers to purchase online directly from the retailer for the first time.

New York -- Procrastinating is out this year when it comes to holiday shopping, with most consumers (62%) planning to finish their gift buying on or before Dec. 16, according to a survey by the International Council of Shopping Centers.

As in most years, the top shopping day of the year is expected to be Black Friday. However, Cyber Monday will follow close behind across most demographic groups, overtaking Super Saturday as the second busiest holiday shopping day of the year.

New York -- Version 3.0 of the PCI Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) and Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS) has been published and will become effective on January 1, 2014.

The PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), a global forum for the development of payment card security standards, published version 3.0 to its website, but version 2.0 will remain active until Dec. 31 to ensure adequate time for organization to make the transition.

New York -- YCD Multimedia, a provider of smart digital signage solutions, announced that Silver Jeans Co. has installed YCD's content management system (YCD|CMS) as the engine behind a new in-store concept.

The new format uses music and video wall technology to build customer loyalty within a multi-sensory environment that captures attention and shares the Silver Jeans' story.  The concept debuted at The Woodlands Mall in Woodlands, Texas, is the first of several locations marking Silver Jeans’ transition to exclusive brick-and-mortar retail.