Data & Analytics

Indianapolis -- The Finish Line said Thursday it has appointed Jay Custard as VP of digital marketing for the company.

Custard’s responsibilities include leading and directing corporate strategies involving digital customer acquisition, retention and superior customer satisfaction, as well as developing new strategies to support future growth.

He was previously VP of e-commerce, global, for Crocs.

New York City -- The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index slightly dropped in December despite small improvements in three-out-of-four components.

The index — which is comprised of tax burden, initial unemployment claims, real wages and real home prices — fell to 1.86 from a reading of 1.93 the previous month. Because of this drop, the ability for consumers to continue to spend at the rates seen in 2011 may be in question, Deloitte said.

Austin, Texas -- Golfsmith announced Thursday plans to open 10 stores and relocate four existing locations in fiscal 2012, increasing its sq. ft. by 17.5% and adding a more experiential presence.

The new 2012 stores include locations in Cleveland, Washington, D.C., Chattanooga, Tenn., Nashville and Atlanta. The relocations will move stores into spaces that provide an updated and expanded golf retail experience that mirrors the company's new stores.

All scheduled store openings and relocations are slated for completion by year’s end

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples announced the opening of a new e-commerce innovation center in Kendall Square in Cambridge, Mass. The office will house teams responsible for designing and implementing innovative new e-commerce solutions for the business customers who shop Staples websites and stores.

New York City -- The second day of J.C. Penney Co.’s launch event in New York City revealed the retailer’s long-term financial plans to generate profit and shareholder value while reinventing itself.

COO Mike Kramer outlined the company's financial outlook, including an enhanced profit formula derived from the simplified business model unveiled the day before, based on a new three-tier pricing strategy, newly organized promotions and an overhaul of the merchandise assortment.

Dallas -- Loyalty and marketing solution-provider Alliance Data Systems Corp. said Thursday that it has signed a multi-year renewal agreement to continue providing private label credit card services to Reeds Jewelers.

MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu on Tuesday named Michael Moore EVP and chief marketing officer. Moore will lead all of the company’s marketing activities, including overseeing customer and brand strategy, advertising, customer loyalty, and research and analytics.

Moore was named to the top marketing post following this week’s decision by Julie Dexter Berg to leave the company and return to the West Coast.

New York City -- The judge in the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy case on Tuesday approved a $750 million exit financing plan for the supermarket operator.

The approval moves A&P closer toward exiting Chapter 11 and operating as a  privately held company.

The financing package consists of a $400 million revolving loan and a $350 million term loan from J.P. Morgan Chase and Credit Suisse.