Resources

Mark Twain famously said, “get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.”  As data analyst we have a responsibility to provide an accurate and complete picture when we poor through numbers and create reports.  The labor report released on Friday provides a great example of an incomplete reporting of the facts.... Read more »

The Consumer Spending Report (CSR) released in November indicates that consumer spending in October increased slightly by .9 points to close to 103 points, but still sits below the current twelve month average of 105.6. The overwhelming majority of consumers rated the economy as fair or poor, continuing this trend from September. Retail spending decreased... Read more »

What is an out of stock? A retail out of stock is when the inventory available on the shelf is either zero, or depending on the product category, when the inventory available for sale is less than the typical job lot quantity.   Conceptually an out of stock is not difficult to understand and therefore one... Read more »

The Farnworth Group published a study that found that specialized retailers are taking more of the DIY market from big-box home improvement stores like Lowe’s and The Home Depot. Amazon is making its appearance as a favorite online home improvement source. The study analyzed purchase behaviors among a variety of retail channels and different buying... Read more »

Due to Christmas creep, retailers are moving out the pumpkins and putting out winter holiday right away, if not already. Some retail trends shoppers can look forward to now: Early season deals are popping up and not waiting for Black Friday. Wal-Mart announced November 1 launches “savings and holiday retailtainment”. The iPad mini will be... Read more »

Deloitte’s 30th annual holiday consumer spending survey of over 4,000 US consumers identify major changes to some shopping traditions. Key findings include: Shoppers are expected to spend $1,440 this holiday season, across gift purchases, socializing, non-gift clothing, and home/holiday furnishings. Nearly 70% of consumers plan to “webroom” by looking at items online first and then... Read more »

The CPFR Method CPFR is a business methodology which integrates multiple parties in the planning and fulfillment of customer demand. The idea behind CPFR is that by coordinating activities throughout the supply chain inventories can be moved more efficiently, in the correct quantities, to the correct inventory locations to meet customer demand.  CPFR establishes a... Read more »

Halloween retail sales, which had grown to an $8 billion industry by 2012, is expected to fall 7 percent this year, to $6.9 billion. According to the National Retail Federation, this is the lowest total since 2011. Experts blame the weak Halloween forecast on a shift in consumer spending to experiences rather than must-have items.... Read more »

Walmart recently announced cuts of 450 positions at its headquarters. Dollar Tree announced the elimination of 370 positions (115 of those unfilled currently) at its headquarters. JC Penney followed suit, announcing plans to cut 300 of its 3,400 home office positions. All are stating cuts are to reduce expenses. JC Penney still plans to hire... Read more »