Data & Analytics

Target may have floundered a bit in December, but many retailers reported solid sales gains for the month. Overall, retail sales rose 3.4% at the 22 retailers tracked by the Thomson Reuters same-store sales index, compared with the 3.3% analyst forecast, however results were mixed.

That was the case with the nation’s discounters and department store retailers, with many chains citing unseasonably warm weather that sapped demand for cold-weather merchandise.

WEST CHESTER, Pa. — QVC announced that Linda Dillman has been appointed CIO, reporting to QVC president and CEO Mike George.

Dillman, who has more than 20 years of experience leading IT teams, most recently served as SVP global IT at HP. Previously, she was EVP and CIO at Wal-Mart Stores, where she was instrumental in transforming the supply chain management model for Walmart, according to a QVC press release. 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Catalina Marketing has named John Miles as its new EVP and CIO. As Catalina’s EV{ and CIO, Miles will be responsible for leading IT strategy, research and development and new product development.

Since 2009, Miles served as a senior member of the Dell leadership team and CIO for its global commercial and consumer businesses. He has also held senior executive and technology positions with Lowe’s and Lend Lease Inc., as well as consulting positions at Arthur Anderson and Booz Allen Hamilton.

River Grove, Ill. -- Chuck Follett, president and CEO of Follett Corp., announced his decision to retire after 38 years of service with the company. Follett is the leading operator of college bookstores, and also a major distributor of physical and digital educational materials and services to primary, secondary and university level institutions.

Follett’s board of directors has initiated a search for Follett's successor. Follett will remain the company's president and CEO until a successor is identified.

Boston -- On The Spot Systems, a mobile systems provider, announced that 7-Eleven is using its Survey on the Spot mobile survey platform to capture feedback from managers in the field. 7-Eleven recognized the critical importance of gaining timely and accurate market-level data in order to make better business decisions and began using the mobile survey system in March, according to On The Spot Systems.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion announced that it has selected Mullen as its advertising agency of record. Mullen will be responsible for developing Food Lion's advertising campaigns and partnering with the company on integrated marketing initiatives in support of the Food Lion brand. 

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that it is helping customers prepare for tax season by offering low-cost tax preparation preparation services and free in-store federal Form 1040EZ filing. In addition, the retailer provides $3 and $6 check-cashing services. 

Cleveland -- Agilysys announced that beauty retailer Sephora Americas has successfully deployed NextPosition by Agilysys and RedIron's 2Mobile software to enhance customer service in a large number of its U.S.-based stores.