Data & Analytics

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Coinstar, a self-service coin-counting machine operator, has added a new feature that enables consumers to conveniently and securely add coins and paper currency into or withdraw funds from their PayPal account, as well as send money to another PayPal account. The rollout began this month in Texas, Northern California and Ohio and will continue at select kiosks throughout the year.  

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holding Corp. reported a higher-than-expected quarterly profit for the fourth quarter before special items, boosted by lower costs.

The company said its net loss for the quarter ended on Feb. 2 narrowed to $489 million from $2.4 billion a year earlier. Total costs dropped 2.2% to $12.88 billion in the fourth quarter.

Sales declined about 1.8% to $12.26 billion, but beat analysts' average estimate of $11.77 billion.

Durham, N.C. -- When Walmart Neighborhood Market in Mt. Pleasant, Wis., opens later this year, it will join the small but growing ranks of stores that are lit entirely with LEDs. The chain is installing LED technology from Cree, including more than 400 linear luminaires (CS18), for illumination – from the sales floor and pharmacy to restrooms, vestibules and backroom areas. Cree LED lighting will also be installed in the parking lot and exterior areas of the store.
 

NEW YORK — Reuben Hendell, chief strategy officer of GSI Commerce  and chief executive officer of its global agency services business, will be the keynote speaker at ACG New York’s Third Annual Digital Media & Technology M&A Conference in New York on Thursday, March 21, 2013, ACG New York announced.

The conference will focus on current M&A trends, deal structures, valuation strategies, hot-company and hot-technology identification, and traditional media survival strategies.

Specialty apparel retailer Chico’s reported strong fourth quarter results and announced plans to debut a new format and enter Canada in 2013.

The company said sales for the 14 week fourth quarter ended February 2, increased 14.5% to $652 million thanks to the inclusion of an extra week in the reporting period, a 3.7% same store sales increase and a net increase of 101 new stores that expanded selling space by 8.1%. The 3.7% comp increase is noteworthy because it came on top of an 8.7% comp increase during the fourth quarter the prior year.

NEW YORK — Energizer is set to launch a new portfolio of lighting products this spring, the New York Times "Gadgetwise" blog reported today. The new line is expected to hit Target shelves in late March, followed by other mass merchandisers later on.

Columbus, Ohio -- Limited Brands Inc. said that its fourth quarter net income in the 14-week period through Feb. 2, 2013, rose a better-than expected 14% to $411.4 million. That compares to a 13-week period that ended on Jan. 28, 2012, in which net income came to $359.4 million. The chain also forecast profit for the current quarter and fiscal year below analysts' expectations.
 

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. offered further proof that its turnaround has taken hold, reporting a 61% increase in fourth quarter profit amid strong same-store sales growth across its banners. The results end a strong year for the chain, which also said it was increasing its dividend by 20%.