Data & Analytics

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Strong results in consumable categories, a little inflation and some Hurricane Irene related sales fueled an 11.5% same-store sales increase and led to a strong overall third-quarter financial performance at Tractor Supply Company.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot announced that it has launched a new Android app designed specifically for Office Depot business account customers. The Office Depot Business Solutions mobile application is now available for free download on the Android Market.

CHICAGO — As many as 71% of consumers earning less than $100,000 per year are planning to trim back their spending this holiday season, according to new research, “Holiday Shopping 2011,” released Tuesday by SymphonyIRI Group.

Under most circumstances, Walmart and Target are like oil and water, but when the issue is fighting retail crime even fierce competitors see the wisdom of coming together to battle a common enemy.

Such is the case with retail theft, and earlier this week the Retail Industry Leaders Association welcomed a select group of senior level asset protection executives, product manufacturers and academic researchers to the 2011 Asset Protection Leaders Council (APLC) meeting in Minneapolis to launch the APLC’s process driven shrink initiative. 

Redmond, Wash. -- PlayNetwork said Thursday it has completed the audio/visual installation at Uniqlo’s new global 89,000-sq.-ft. flagship store on Fifth Ave. in New York City, the retailer’s largest store to date.

The installation features more than 300 LCD video displays and 175 audio speakers, providing a full digital media experience. Custom LED video installations in the glass elevators and storefront windows and LED “tunnel ticker” displays were developed by PlayNetwork in conjunction with partner D3 LED.

San Jose, Calif. -- eBay, which reported income and revenue growth for its third quarter, is seeing increased strength in its mobile business as more customers are turning to their smartphones to shop.

eBay reported that revenue for the third quarter ended Sept. 30 increased 32% to $3 billion, compared with the same period of 2010. The company reported third-quarter net income on a GAAP basis of $490.5 million, up from $432 million in the year-ago period.

PHILADELPHIA — Shoplifting, employee or supplier fraud, organized retail crime and administrative errors cost the retail industry $41.7 billion in the United States in 2011, representing 1.6% in sales, according to the Global Retail Theft Barometer released Tuesday by Checkpoint Systems. Of that, $18.4 billion was attributed to employee theft, $14.9 billion to shoplifters, $6.6 billion to internal error and $1.8 billion to suppliers.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Supervalu reduced it full-year profit forecast Wednesday morning, even though the company reported better-than-expected second-quarter sales and profits as a result of strategies president and CEO Craig Herkert said are yielding results.

WASHINGTON — It looks like this year's holiday shoppers have a renewed focus on value and will comparison shop by utilizing smartphones, tablets and mobile applications to make purchasing decisions, according to the latest National Retail Federation Survey.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears announced that it has expanded its online toy shop to provide parents with a trusted and fun resource for toy advice.