Data & Analytics

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings has announced the launch of two Latino social media channels: Facebook.com/SearsLatino and a Twitter handle @SearsLatino.

Reading, England -- Tesco has committed to the Microsoft platform in an eight year, world-wide agreement. The deal is designed to enable the U.K.-based retailer to improve productivity, decision-making, knowledge sharing and operational excellence across the 14 countries in which it currently operates.

The agreement will underpin Tesco’s strategic objectives of growing its international presence; expanding its non-food business; and offering a broad selection of retail services such as banking, online and mobile. 
 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Winn-Dixie Stores announced that it expects to report net sales of approximately $6.9 billion compared with $7 billion for the prior fiscal year (which included an extra week), reflecting a 0.1% decrease in identical-store sales. Net loss from continuing operations is expected to be approximately $30 million or 54 cents per diluted share, compared with net income from continuing operations of $37 million or 67 cents per diluted share for fiscal 2010. 

PITTSBURGH — Dick's Sporting Goods announced that it has created a new program to help combat concussions in youth sports.

NEW YORK — Kroger has selected Oracle’s Agile Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) for Process to establish a platform for continually improving the customer experience. The supermarket operator will use the solution to integrate and streamline all aspects of product development, including managing specifications, suppliers, formulations, packaging and labeling, compliance, and quality.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Not that anyone needed it, but weak second-quarter sales at OfficeMax provided additional evidence this week that the nation’s business climate remains exceedingly challenging.

Buying online from Amazon.com is a fantastic experience. Between the broad assortment, product reviews, available shipping options, ease of checkout and simple returns process there is a lot to like. It’s why the company’s sales are on fire, profits are beating analysts’ estimates, and the stock has traded above $200 the past month.

Washington, D.C. -- A Tuesday report from the Commerce Department showed that consumer spending dropped 0.2% in June, to $21.9 billion.

Personal income was virtually flat for the month, increasing 0.1% to $18.7 billion, which was in line with estimates.

Sidney, Neb. -- Cabela’s announced Tuesday the launch of its iPhone and Android rich app to complement its mobile-optimized website, which launched earlier this year through mobile commerce leader Digby.

Through this initiative, Cabela’s said it is taking a strategic approach to mobile and leveraging the impact and influence it has across all channels to drive traffic, generate sales, enhance loyalty and gain insight on consumer buying behavior.  

New York City -- A Monday report by the Associated Press said that Verizon Wireless will install apps for American Express Co.'s new online payment service, Serve, on its phones and tablets.

Terms of the agreement between Verizon Wireless and American Express have not been revealed. Verizon’s Serve online payment service is based on pre-funded accounts, and it enables online transactions without entering a credit card number.