Apparel

• The Buckle, Inc. has discovered a data breach where intruders planted malware on their cash register systems to steal credit card data from customers over a period of several months in 2017.

• The Children’s Place’s e-commerce revenue accounted for almost 20% of total retail sales in 2016 while its omnichannel business is roughly 25% of its customer base and 42% of sales.

• Harley-Davidson of New York City is one of several Harley-Davidson franchises to partner with “Albert,” an AI-driven marketing technology by Adgorithms; the new technology helps to execute self-driven digital advertising and marketing efforts.

Foodservice

• Panera Bread Co. announced that sales through its digital mobile, web and kiosk channels will pass $1 billion annual this year; the company expects that figure to double by 2019.

Grocery/Convenience

• Weis Markets selected an integrated solution from dunnhumby and Aptaris to create an enterprise promotional planning, price optimization, modelling and forecasting system.  The grocery retailer hopes the merchandising solution will increase sales and improve customer loyalty.

Discount/GM

• Best Buy is focused on four key priorities over the next 12 months: grow multichannel retail business, improve execution, reduce cost and drive efficiencies, and build capabilities.

• Walmart Stores experienced positive results from testing a blockchain technology to aid food traceability and safety. The company test through a partnership with IBM began last year in China.