Data & Analytics

NEW YORK — Barnes & Noble is promoting the Nook by inviting customers to come into its stores to compare their e-readers with company's own version. Beginning July 1, customers can purchase a Nook, starting at $139, and receive an instant Nook Book collection -- 30 free digital titles valued at $315. 

Leveraging the social and mobile channels to present a unified cross-channel experience is one of the keys to maximizing online holiday sales this year, according to the IBM Coremetrics Fourth Annual Online Retail Holiday Readiness Report.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Supervalu announced that plans to transition 40 stores to zero waste operations by the end of its current fiscal year ending Feb. 29, 2012. 

Matthews, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores' third-quarter net income increased 6.5% as broader markdowns drew more store traffic. Its results, however, fell short of analysts' expectations.

For the quarter ended May 28, Family Dollar had net income of $111.1 million, compared with $104.4 million a year earlier.

Revenue was up 8% to $2.15 billion. Same-store sales rose 4.7%.

Family Dollar said sales were strongest in consumables and home products.

New York City -- Wal-Mart Stores spent $2.42 million on lobbying in the first quarter on issues ranging from organized crime to food safety, as well as nutritional labeling, according to a recent disclosure report, the Associated Press said.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Wednesday unveiled plans to establish deeper roots on its home turf with its “Chicago Hometown Investment Initiative,” a plan that will create an estimated 600 new jobs in the city over the next two years and quadruple the number of Walgreens’ food oasis stores.

New York City -- BJ's Wholesale Club announced on Wednesday that it has agreed to be acquired by the private equity firms of Leonard Green & Partners and CVC Capital Partners (“CVC”) in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $2.8 billion.

BJ's, based in Westborough, Mass., has 190 stores in 15 states. The company said its board unanimously approved the buyout.

New York City -- Many retailers are not satisfied with their ability to meet customer expectations for a seamless cross-channel experience, according to a survey conducted by Edge Research for Sterling Commerce, an IBM company.

The survey revealed several significant gaps between what consumers want and what retailers are currently delivering. A retailer’s ability to meet consumer expectations -- and deliver a seamless, cross-channel experience -- will be the deciding factor in their ability to survive in the age of the empowered consumer.