Data & Analytics

DALLAS — AT&T and IBM teamed up to deliver an e-commerce solution that retailers can use to provide their customers with a consistent shopping experience whether they are shopping online, via a mobile app or in stores.

The new service, expected to be available this year, combines AT&T’s cloud, application management and network services with e-commerce software from IBM’s Smarter Commerce initiative in a single, subscription-based package designed for retailers.

NEW YORK — Ann Inc. reported total net sales for the quarter of $575 million, a 2.5% increase from $560 million in the first quarter ended May 4.

By brand, net sales across all channels of the Ann Taylor brand totaled $219 million for the quarter, a nearly 4% increase from $212 million in the first quarter of 2012. At the Loft brand, net sales across all channels were $355 million for the quarter, a 2% increase $348 million in the first quarter of 2012.

Atlanta -- A just-released report by Jones Lang LaSalle Retail found that three trends — in retail investing, retail expansion and e-commerce — are making national borders increasingly irrelevant to the retail industry. According to Jones Lang LaSalle’s “Global Capital Flows,” retail investment captured 25% of the total global market share of real estate investment in first quarter 2013.

Suffern, N.Y. -- Ascena Retail Group Inc. reported its fiscal third-quarter net income dropped nearly 37% amid costs related to its acquisition of Charming Shoppes and a charge tied to debt extinguishment. The chain also lowered its full-year earnings forecast.

Net income slipped to $31.2 million for the quarter that ended April 27, from $49.4 million in the same quarter a year ago.

Revenue rose nearly 46% to $1.14 billion, boosted by the company’s acquisitions of the Lane Bryant and Catherines chains. Same-store sales fell 4%.

Atlanta -- Jones Lang LaSalle has announced that its retail group, in an exclusive deal, will lease and manage Shenandoah Plaza in Newnan, Ga. Anchoring the 146,121-sq.-ft. property are Big Lots, Rent-A-Center and Goodwill.

The property is currently 100% occupied. John Bemis, southeast retail market lead, and Janine Christian, senior VP, will direct JLL’s team on the assignment.

LENEXA, Kan. — A little more than two weeks after bringing in former Safeway executive Steve Rempel as its new president and CEO, Balance Innovations has named Jay Atkinson its EVP of business development. 

In this role, Atkinson will be responsible for managing the national sales team, as well as the development and execution of the company's sales strategy.

Chicago -- For pure play premium pet food and accessories retailer PetFlow, online marketing is a crucial component of its business. Initially, PetFlow used Google AdWords to direct consumers searching for specific pet products to its site. However, as PetFlow co-founder Alex Zhardanovsky told the audience during a morning keynote session at the Internet Retailer Conference in Chicago, initial efforts by the retailer to expand its online marketing activities to Facebook did not work so well.

A lot of buzz this week about Amazon expanding a long-running grocery delivery program in its hometown of Seattle to the Los Angeles area and what it might mean for food retailers. The answer for now is, not much.