A complete business intelligence (BI) platform allows retailers to address a specific store's unique needs based on consumer preferences and purchase behaviors. As a result, retailers can fuel growth more efficiently and create a more enjoyable in-store experience. In an effort to better manage its data warehouse, The Paradies Shops, an airport concessionaire operating more than 550 stores in 75-plus airports and hotels across the U.S. and Canada, partnered with Information Builders, a provider of BI software and solutions.

Utilizing the WebFOCUS platform, The Paradies Shops gleans insight on rich, consumable and interactive information to make store associates and managers more educated on store developments. The solution provides tools to track and share actionable data for merchandising and operations. As a result, the retailer responds to issues and trends in a timelier manner, Tony Dudek, VP and CIO of The Paradies Shops, told Retail TouchPoints.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is a must-attend event for fashion designers, buyers and tastemakers to get a first-hand look at the season’s hottest trends. At the same time, Fashion Week provides retailers with a primary opportunity to get a glimpse into shoppers’ preferred clothing and accessory styles, as well overall sentiment on spending.

In an effort to help merchants better understand these key areas, American Express Business Insights released in-depth data into the demographics and purchase behaviors of luxury consumers. Results revealed that in light of an insecure job market and turbulent economy, Generation Y consumers ramped up their spending on luxury goods, increasing purchases on premium luxury fashion by 33% in 2011 over 2010. This is a positive bounce-back after the stagnant results from the recession, according to Edmond Jay, SVP of American Express Business Insights. The results also point to a new market for luxury retailers to communicate with.

 
Digital signage solutions allow merchants to amp up in-store experiences by encouraging customers to interact with content, such as offers and advertisements. In an effort to increase ticket and concession sales across its locations, Rave Cinemas, LLC, partnered with Real Digital Media, provider of the NEOCAST digital signage platform.

“The cycle of content change is tremendous in the cinema industry,” William J. Budwitz, Director of Systems Development for Rave Cinemas, told Retail TouchPoints. “With several new movies weekly and their corresponding promotions, we constantly are refreshing our poster cases, signs, schedules and menu boards. With the NEOCAST digital signage system, we can easily keep up with this frantic pace.”