Data & Analytics

Baltimore -- A white paper released Tuesday by marketing communications firm Vertis Communications, entitled “power2thewomen2.0: the Shopping Trend Revolution Continues,” revealed that women wield formidable purchasing power, controlling approximately $5 trillion in spending annually, but that how they interact with retailers and marketers differs greatly.

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- Borders Group, which had been holding out hope that a buyer would come forward to save the company, said late Monday it will seek court approval Thursday for a liquidation led by Hilco Merchant Resources and Gordon Brothers Group.

The bookseller said that, with approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of New York, it could begin shuttering its 399 remaining stores as early as Friday, and it is expected to go out of business for good by the end of September.

New York City -- A survey released Tuesday by Deloitte found that 87.7% of shoppers believe prices in food stores are escalating and 74% say the size of some packaged goods is smaller.

According to Deloitte’s new “2011 Consumer Food and Product Insight Survey,” thanks to higher food prices and rising gas prices, 72.7% of consumers are making fewer trips to the grocery store to save money and 40.8% are purchasing fewer items overall.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Big Lots has acquired 89 Liquidation World stores in Canada and becomes the latest U.S. retailer to pursue growth opportunities north of the border.

The company said it invested $20 million in cash and assumed certain liabilities in order to purchase all outstanding shares, satisfy debt obligations, and acquire all assets and leasehold rights of Liquidation World, an operator of 89 stores offering closeout merchandise. Big Lots currently operates 1,405 stores in the United States.

Shares of Target are mis-valued at current levels around $50 and could eventually double if the company delivers on plans achieve $100 billion in sales and earnings per share of $8 by 2016 or 2017.

That’s according to Bernstein Research analyst Colin McGranahan who noted in a recent research report that he spent time at Target’s Minneapolis headquarter where he met with chairman, president and CEO, Gregg Steinhafel, CFO Doug Scovanner and EVP merchandising Kathee Tesija.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Northeast food retailer Weis Markets reported second-quarter sales of $676.7 million, an increase of 3.5% from sales of $653.7 million for the same period last year. Comparable-store sales were up 5.1% for the quarter. 

According to the company, the sales growth was due to openings in three key markets, successful sales building programs, operational improvements at store level and improved administrative expense management.

Denton, Md. -- Walmart will break ground on a new supercenter in Denton, Maryland, the week of September 19. The 152,888-sq.-ft.  store will also feature a Subway.

Walmart currently operates 35 stores and 12 Sam's Clubs in the state of Maryland.

ATLANTA — In her new role, Lewis will oversee integrated marketing communications, multicultural marketing and consumer and shopper insights, according to reports.

Alison Lewis will become Coca-Cola's SVP marketing, replacing Beatriz Perez, who was promoted to chief sustainability officer at the company in May.

In her new role, Lewis will oversee integrated marketing communications, multicultural marketing and consumer and shopper insights, according to reports.