Data & Analytics

Indianapolis -- The Finish Line announced that Harvey Bierman has joined the company as VP digital technology.

Bierman comes to Finish Line after seven years with Demandware, where he most recently served as senior director, global strategic solutions.

“Harvey’s appointment is an important step toward driving long-term growth for Finish Line through aggressive expansion of our digital business,” said Chris Ladd, executive VP chief digital officer for Finish Line.
 

By Jim Hogan, [email protected]

The retail industry is a bellwether for U.S financial health given that consumer spending is roughly 60%-70% of the economy. While the economy has sent mixed signals of late -- consumer confidence down, unemployment up -- consumer credit has swung up decidedly and leading companies in a wide swath of retail segments can point to positive year-over-year same store sales. This is prompting some retailers -- particularly discount stores--to begin opening new stores.

New York -- Walgreens will launch a loyalty card on Sept. 16, Reuters reported.

The move follows the chain’s long insistence that it did not need a loyalty card, even as rival CVS Caremark Corp. and Rite Aid Corp had their own successful well-established programs. The CVS ExtraCare loyalty program claims more than 70 million households as members.

Many retailers have been slow to embrace technology in their broader operations, technology that has already changed the retail landscape forever – namely by empowering shoppers who are now more tech savvy than the retailers who are trying to catch up. What today’s retailers need to provide is what we at Manhattan Associates refer to as a “Zero Disappointment Experience.” In other words, ensuring that your brand delivers the same experience to shoppers regardless of their choice of engagement.

BALDWYN, Miss. — Hancock Fabrics reported that net sales for the second quarter increased 5% to $60.5 million from $57.8 million for second quarter of last year, and comparable-store sales improved by 5%.

Earnings per share increased by 3 cents, or $0.6 million with a net loss of $3.3 million, or 17 cents per basic share, in the second quarter of fiscal 2012 compared to a net loss of $3.9 million, or 20 cents per basic share in the second quarter of fiscal 2011.

New York -- Bebe Stores Inc. reported that net income for the second quarter fell 36.2% to $3 million, from $4.7 million in the year-earlier quarter.

Revenue in the quarter fell 0.6% to $131.5 million from last year. Same-store sales fell 2.5%.
 

New York -- A switch to LED lighting technology in its refrigerated coolers has resulted in combined energy and maintenance savings of more than $1 million annually for convenience store operator Wawa.

The new technology, Immersion from GE Lighting Solutions, has been installed in Wawa’s 600 locations across the Mid-Atlantic region, and has reduced refrigerated cooler/freezer electricity and maintenance expense by a combined 78% since its adoption.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores has named Holly Shaskey-Platek to the position of SVP merchandising. She will lead the home, apparel and seasonal divisions and report to Paul White, EVP, chief merchandising officer.