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Insights from China: Alibaba Invests in STO Express, Accelerating the Logistics Race
This week, we look at Alibaba’s recent investments in courier company STO Express and how the logistics race in China has stepped up.
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The Greater Bay Area, or “China’s Silicon Valley”: What is It, How Will It Develop and How Can Businesses Benefit?
The Greater Bay Area could be China’s answer to Silicon Valley. On February 18, 2019, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council of the People’s Republic of China released a development plan for the Greater Bay Area.
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Artificial Intelligence in Retail, Part 3: What Startups Are Doing with AI
This is the third report in a short series looking at the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in retail. In this report, we explore what startups are doing with AI in the context of our proprietary CORE framework, which stands for Communication, Optimization of pricing, Rationalization of inventory and Experiential retail.
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February 2019 US Same-Store Sales: Costco Comps Decelerate, Buckle and Cato Comparable Sales Fall
In February, Costco’s same-store sales growth showed a sequential slowdown. The company posted accelerated growth in e-commerce comparable sales. Adverse weather conditions, holiday shift and forex currency fluctuations negatively impacted Costco’s performance.
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Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSX: ATD.B) Fiscal 3Q19 Results: Revenue Below Consensus, Merchandise and Fuel Drive Growth
Alimentation Couche-Tard reported fiscal 3Q19 revenue of $16.5 billion, slightly below the consensus estimate of $16.8 billion and up 4.6% from 3Q18.
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Williams-Sonoma (NYSE: WSM) 4Q18 Results: Beats on Revenues, Comps in Line, Guides for 2019 EPS Above Consensus
Williams-Sonoma reported 4Q18 revenues of $1.84 billion, up 9.3%. Adjusted EPS was $2.10, up 25.3%. Comps increased 2.4%. The company guided for a 2019 comps of +2%–5% and adjusted EPS of $4.50–$4.70.
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ASOS (LSE: ASC) 2Q19 Trading Update: Strong UK Demand, US Logistics Hit by Unexpected Jump in Demand, Guidance Unchanged
ASOS reported 2Q19 group revenues of £658.5 million, up 11.0% year over year on a constant-currency basis. US sales declined due to an unexpected surge in orders causing disruption.
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Ocado (LSE: OCDO) 1Q19 Trading Update: Strong Underlying Growth Partially Offset by Fire
Ocado reported 1Q19 retail revenue of £404 million, up 11.2% year over year. The company’s average orders per week grew 11.3% year over year, but the average order size was down 0.2% year over year.