Data & Analytics

Omaha, Neb. -- Apparel and home décor retailer Gordman Stores reported Tuesday that net income for the quarter ended Jan. 28 rose 21.2% to $10.2 million, from $8.4 million in the year-ago period.

Sales increased 10% to $185.1 million. Same-store sales rose 2.1%.

Issy-Les-Moulineaux, France -- The Optic 2000 group, whch operates more than 1,850 specialty stores for eyewear and hearing devices, has chosen Microsoft Corp.’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 for Retail, to manage its sales, supply and inventory across its entire network of operations in France. Usability, simple maintenance, functional excellence and ease of upgrading are the key advantages that led to the company’s strategic decision to adopt the Microsoft business solution.

Atlanta -- Walgreens and online health Q&A platform Sharecare announced Tuesday the launch of a new “Answers” application providing access to the largest searchable drug, supplement and wellness database currently available on Facebook, according to the companies.

The application, which is integrated into Walgreens Facebook page, gives Walgreens followers access to an interactive portal containing health information and resources.

San Mateo, Calif. -- Coupa Software said Monday that sandwich chain Quiznos, India, will deploy its cloud spend optimization software service in the region.

Apollo Elixirs Pvt., Ltd., a master franchisee of Southern India, selected the Coupa for Retail e-procurement solution based on its ability to harness the stores’ collective spend intelligence and predict the future purchasing needs of each Quiznos location.

It doesn’t really surprise me anymore when I hear about another national brand rolling out a smaller store format or compact new prototype. Recognizable names like Target, Walmart and Best Buy have all had some success with smaller formats, particularly when it comes to penetrating new markets. But I think the fact that Kohl’s has now joined the crowd is a little bit different — and a little bit more interesting.

Columbia, Md. -- Micros Systems said Tuesday that restaurant chain Ruby Tuesday has implemented its Table Management System across its 750+ units. 

A fully integrated component of the Micros Restaurant Enterprise Solution point-of-sale software solution, Micros TMS provides visibility to all aspects of the guest dining experience.

By Tim Callan, timcallan.blogspot.com

With store closures and falling revenue threatening major retail chains, maximizing store productivity is more important than ever before. While it’s been proven for many years that website analytics can drive dramatic improvement in online retail environments, so far most brick-and-mortar retailers are engaged in only rudimentary measurement.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. anticipates that its annual dividend may hit $3 per share or more by 2017, if its annual earnings are at $8 per share or more by that time.

Target on Monday said it has paid a dividend every quarter since it became a public company in 1967, and in 2011 the company marked its 40th consecutive year of annual dividend increases.

Target also announced that it plans to invest $1.5 billion or more in buybacks in 2012. It invested nearly $1.9 billion in stock repurchases last year.