Data & Analytics

Ann Arbor, Mich. – Domino’s Pizza, Inc. delivered strong results in net income, revenues and same-store sales during second quarter 2013. Net income totaled $33.3 million, up 18.5% from $28.1 million the same quarter a year earlier. Total revenues were about $414.1 million, up roughly 10% from $376.1 million a year earlier. Same-store sales rose 5.8% following an increase of 5.7% a year earlier, driven by 6.8% growth in domestic franchise stores.

By Lee Peterson, wdpartners.com

Across-the-board payroll cuts have rarely delivered margins long-term for retailers. Crude cuts are more than misguided today, but a dangerous strategy for stores in the fight for survival against Amazon.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears is offering personalized digital coupons to members of its Shop Your Way loyalty program that are redeemable in-store, online and from a mobile device. Members can download the virtual coupons, tailored to their interests, style preferences and shopping habits, from the Internet or the Sears mobile app.

I was fortunate enough to attend the CashStar Retailer Roundtable in Portland, Maine, last week. Beyond getting to spend a beautiful summer day overlooking the sights of Casco Bay, I got to hear a lot of great speakers from companies including Google and Forrester Research discuss the latest trends in mobile commerce and electronic gift cards.

Boston -- Although Target has narrowed Walmart’s basket advantage, the world’s largest retailer continues to demonstrate its price advantage, according to Kantar Retail’s semi-annual pricing study.

With an overall branded basket 2.4% less expensive than Target’s, Walmart’s overall price gap has still remained within a few percentage points of Target’s, although its lead has narrowed since the last iteration of the study. Importantly, Target’s edible basket was within cents of Walmart’s.

A new era in television technology emerged at Best Buy this weekend which takes screen thickness,  picture quality and price points to unprecedented levels.

Best Buy’s high end Magnolia shop in located inside its Richfield, Minn., store became the first U.S. retailer to sell LG Electronic’s OLED HDTV. The 55 inch OLED (organic light emitting diode) television features a super thin curved screen that is less than a quarter of an inch thick and retails for $14,999.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears may not be the first name that springs to mind when one thinks of retailers that leverage technology to reach out to digital-savvy consumers, but it's demonstrating that it can stay current with the latest digital trends. 

Boca Raton, Fla. – Office Depot is offering college students a variety of online back-to-school shopping services through a dedicated page on its e-commerce site. Features include an online catalog geared toward college students and an online college checklist, as well as a partnership with connected learning platform Chegg.

Through the Chegg partnership, Office Depot will run a contest called the “Countdown to College Giveaway” with prizes including technology devices and school supplies, and co-authored online tips and articles.