Data & Analytics

Chicago -- A Tuesday report by NPD Group said that U.S. restaurant unit counts declined by 2%, which translates to a loss of 9,450 restaurants since last year.

According to the report, most of the total unit declines were independent restaurants. Chain restaurant unit counts remained relatively stable, according to NPD research.

Dallas -- Retalix announced Tuesday that grocery chain Tops Markets has selected Retalix’s StoreLine point-of-sale software application to lower the cost of ownership and increase the functionality of its front-end operations.

According to Tops, the chain was looking to upgrade its legacy POS software as part of a larger initiative to enhance customer service.

Atlanta -- A report released Tuesday by First Data Corp., which tracks same-store consumer spending by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EBT cards and checks at U.S. merchant locations, found that card spend growth slowed significantly in July. However, dollar volume growth at general merchandise stores, including value retail, rose 10.3%, the largest increase in 10 months, as value retailers increased merchant promotional activity and discounting to attract consumers.

City of Commerce, Calif. -- Discount retailer 99 Cents Only Stores reported Monday that net income for the quarter ended July 2 rose to $17.7 million, from $16.8 million in the year earlier period.

Total revenue rose 6.3% to $368.3 million, from $346.5 million a year ago. Same-store sales rose 5.9%.

Camp Hill, Pa. -- Rite Aid Corp. announced Monday it has named Susan Henderson as senior VP and chief communications officer to replace Karen Rugen, who retired last month.

Henderson previously worked for Chicago-based strategy execution and employment engagement firm Gagen MacDonald; before that, she was VP communications for Harley-Davidson. She has also worked for the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. in Chicago, Kohl's Department Stores and the Miller Brewing Co.
 

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — MyBuys, a leader in cross-channel personalization for retailers, announced that Neil Patil has joined the company as SVP marketing.

NEW YORK — Macy's announced that it is bringing back its Backstage Pass campaign with even more engaging video content that delivers trend and helpful advice, straight from Macy’s stable of star designers and industry experts. In addition to essential tips, customers will have the chance to instantly win daily shopping sprees worth up to $500, wherever a Macy’s Backstage Pass appears, whether in-store, print or online.

SAN MATEO, Calif. — Sam's Club has engaged the services of DemandTec to enhance its eValues program.

Sam's Club said it will use DemandTec's Deal Management service to streamline the collaborative presentation, negotiation, reconciliation, and archiving of member offers and supporting supplier funds for the eValues program.  

DemandTec is working in conjunction with FICO, provider of the eValues program, to integrate Deal Management, streamline the process, and deliver highly targeted, timely offers to members of Sam's Club.  

NEW YORK — Members-only luxury retailer Gilt Groupe announced that it is launching a new standalone website for men. According to the company, Park & Bond (www.parkandbond.com) merges a curated selection of the world's best brands with a continuously updated mix of editorial content designed to give guys the inspiration and advice they need to look their best.

Strength in the apparel category continued at Target during July, with same-store sales increasing just below the company average of 4.1%, positioning the company as a winner in a month where performance among competitors was uneven.