News

Verizon: Data breaches are more complex, pervasive and damaging
As data breaches become more complex, they leave a lingering, if not lasting imprint on an enterprise. While there are many factors that play a significant role in data breaches and cybersecurity incidents, the human element remains the top source contributing to cybercrimes, according to the “2017 Data Breach Digest,” from Verizon.
Amazon reveals some Prime data
For the first time ever, Amazon has released data that details how much money its Prime membership program and other subscription services bring in. Amazon disclosed in its latest annual filing that it brought in $6.4 billion from Amazon Prime and other subscription services, Bloomberg reported.

Report: BJ’s Wholesale Club owners eyeing sale or IPO

BJ’s Wholesale Club could see a change in ownership. The company’s private equity owners, Leonard Green & Partners and CVS Capital Partners Ltd., are hiring investment bankers to advise them on options, reported the Wall Street Journal. The two buyout firms acquired BJ’s in 2011 for approximately $3 billion. The retailer, which is based in Westborough, Massachusetts, operates 213 stores and 130 BJ's Gas locations 15 states.
Sportswear retailer investigates data breach

Columbia Sportswear’s prAna brand has become the industry’s latest cyber-breach victims. When the lifestyle brand’s e-commerce site was targeted last week, the incident lead Columbia to “immediately launch an investigation and engage a leading third-party cyber security firm to assist us,” Columbia’s CEO Timothy Boyle said on the company’s Q4 2016 earnings call on Feb. 9. “Protecting our customers' information is one of our top priorities and we are taking this very seriously.”
CBL names Hammontree to development post

CBL & Associates has named Curt Hammontree VP of development. In nearly 18 years with the company, he has worked on 18 mall and outlet developments, the most recent being an outlet project in Laredo, Texas. “Curt has been a valuable contributor to CBL’s successful development,” said president and CEO Stephen Lebovitz. “We are pleased to be able to recognize his many achievements with this promotion.”
What the Age of the Connected Customer Means for Brick-and-Mortar Retailers

For years, retail was neatly divided into two categories: e-commerce and brick-and-mortar. But with the advent of smartphones, digital and physical worlds are melding together, creating a new retail environment in which almost every customer journey involves both online and offline activity. This is particularly true for Generation Z consumers, the first generation to have grown up with digital technologies at their fingertips and who now make up 25% of the total U.S. population.
Crate and Barrel puts mobile BI in associates’ hands

The best way to drive a top-notch in-store experience is to give associates insight into as many real-time data sources as possible.
And the 10 most innovative companies in retail are…

A cloud computing/e-commerce giant heads up Fast Company’s annual ranking of the 10 most innovative companies in retail. Amazon not only topped the retail sector category, it also came in number one in the overall World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies listing. (Rounding out the top five: Google, Uber, Apple and Snap.)
Study: Connected devices present major cyber-security risk

It seems information security programs are not keeping up with the pace of evolving cyber-threats. As more companies support Internet of Things (IoT) and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) programs, they become bigger targets to savvy cyber-criminals. This threat grows more serious when 66% of IT security professionals aren't sure how many devices are even in their environment.
Dollar General enters new territory

The ever-expanding Dollar General has entered its 44th state. The discounter opened a store in Hankinson, North Dakota. The company plans to open six additional locations in the state through spring 2017.