Data & Analytics

Johnson & Johnson cited the strength of key brands in its U.S. over-the-counter business as one of the driving factors that led to what chairman and CEO Alex Gorsky called “outstanding” results for the fourth quarter.

The company reported sales of $18.4 billion for the quarter, an increase of 4.5% as compared to the prior-year quarter. Operational results increased 6.3%. Domestic sales increased 7.4%, while international sales increased 2.4%, reflecting operational growth of 5.6%.

Virtual Piggy, the provider of safe youth payments technology Oink, has teamed up with WorldPay US to increase its strategic 2014 merchant acquisition plans within the teen market.

The WorldPay payment processing platform is used for in-person credit and debit transactions, online and mobile payments. According to Oink, its relationship with WorldPay will bring the safe youth payments technology to the WorldPay merchant network and facilitate integrations into teen-focused retail websites and shops.

PassBee Media is rolling out a new iBeacon location-based marketing solution. The application is aimed at allowing retailers to target indoor or in-store consumers for increasing foot traffic, engagement, and sales.

PassBee’s iBeacon solution delivers in-store push notifications designed to create a more personalized experience and increase same-customer and same-store sales. For example; a customer checking out a particular outfit, could be served up customized suggestions for accessories to compliment it elsewhere in the store.

Campbell Soup Company has named Dave Biegger as SVP of global supply chain, with responsibility for engineering, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, customer service, quality and facilities. The appointment is effective April 1.

Biegger succeeds David White, who will retire from the company after 10 years of service, the company said.

Digital coupon use is at an all-time high with more than 2 million Meijer shoppers now subscribed to the free mPerks program, and Meijer has made significant investments to make digital savings easier for its customers.  

The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer now has free Wi-Fi capability in all its stores, making it easier for customers to access their mPerks accounts and the Meijer mobile app, freeing up their smartphone data plans for other uses.

Staples is launching a new technology trade-in program. Staples already recycles electronic office products for free and now small businesses and consumers can trade-in a variety of used technology devices for Staples eCash Cards, which can be used in Staples stores or on Staples.com.

Amazon has reportedly obtained a patent for “anticipatory shipping,” or a logistics technique using customer behavior and history to prepare items for shipping before they are actually ordered. According to the Wall Street Journal, Amazon received the patent in December 2013.

ShopKeep POS has launched a handheld point of sale device that will use Griffin Olli hardware with the ShopKeep POS app. Called ShopKeep Mobile, it is designed for the iPod touch and features an encrypted credit card swiper and high-speed laser barcode scanner to ring up sales right from the showroom floor.

ShopKeep Mobile also comes with all the functionality of the ShopKeep POS app, including: a full suite of reports, inventory management, employee timekeeping, customer database, email receipts, and support for ticket and receipt printers.