Data & Analytics

The art and science of researching how shoppers decide is at a crossroad.  The  shopper insights discipline originally developed when retailers began saying to CPG manufacturers that they have a thorough understanding of behavioral data and its findings, but lack a genuine grasp of how their customers and non-customers think and the “why” that drives that behavior.

Indianapolis -- Mall owner Simon Property Group announced Tuesday that it has completed its first installation of an electric vehicle charging station at one of its shopping centers.

The initial installation has been completed at Simon's Florida Mall in Orlando and will be complete at Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, Calif., later in April.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- DSW Inc. has announced the appointment of Roger Rawlins to SVP and GM DSW.com, and Jennie Wilson as SVP finance and controller.

Cleveland -- Forest City Commercial Management, in partnership with PlaceWise Media, announced Tuesday the launch of the Shoptopia Network.

CHICAGO ─ Faced with rising food costs, U.S. consumers are turning to the cost savings tactics they’ve mastered over the past few years, according to The NPD Group.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens said Tuesday that sales for the month of March rose 7.6% to $6.28 billion, compared with $5.83 billion in the year-ago period.

Duane Reade stores, acquired in April 2010, contributed 2.8% to the total sales increase for the month.

Same-store sales rose 3% in March, not including Duane Reade stores. Results topped Wall Street expectations.

Walgreens opened 12 stores during March, including three relocations, acquired one store and closed two.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. -- Kohl’s Department Stores announced the completion of its private-label credit card portfolio transfer to Capital One Financial Corporation, effective as of April 1, 2011. Capital One has acquired the more than 20 million existing Kohl’s Charge accounts and through the seven-year agreement will offer private-label credit cards to new and existing Kohl’s customers.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Department Stores said Tuesday it has completed the transfer of its private-label credit-card portfolio to Capital One Financial Corp., effective April 1.

Capital One has acquired the more than 20 million existing Kohl’s Charge accounts and through the seven-year agreement will offer private-label credit cards to new and existing Kohl’s customers. According to the department store retailer, the credit-card business accounted for more than 50% of Kohl’s sales in 2010.