News

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.

Report: Another sporting goods retailer eyes Chapter 11

These are tough times for outdoor/sporting goods retailers. Gander Mountain is reportedly considering filing Chapter11 bankruptcy protection, according to Reuters. Founded in 1960, Gander Mountain specializes in fishing, camping and hunting gear and accessories, and bills itself as “America’s firearms superstore.”
Profit Hunting: How to use analytic insights to drive profitable growth

Consumers in recent years have shown a seemingly insatiable appetite for special offers and discounts. During the holiday season, retailers generated billions of dollars by rolling-out high-profile promotional strategies – but was this activity actually profitable? For many retailers, the holiday season lead to significant profit erosion. According to DynamicAction’s Retail Index, 44% of all orders last year were sold on promotion. At the same time, however, retailers saw a 24% reduction in margins.
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.
Regional grocer launches online shopping across five states

One independent grocer is making a move to compete with larger chains.
ComScore: Digital spending rises 18% in Q4

Digital shoppers across the United States outdid themselves in the fourth quarter. Shoppers spent $109.3 billion online during fourth quarter 2016, according to comScore. Overall, this marked an 18% increase compared to the same quarter in 2015. The majority of this online spending — $86.6 billion — occurred on desktop computers, a 13% increase compared to a year ago.