Data Mart

Abstract

This article focuses on information technology (IT). Retail IT budgets should increase 5.8% in 2005, with a 6.8% increase in capital expenditures and a 3.8% increase in operating costs, according to a survey by AMR Research Inc., Boston. Thirty-nine percent of respondents cited being customer-driven as having the most impact on their application investments over the next 12 months. Notably, 10% said government compliance had the most impact on application investments. Half of all U.S. primary household shoppers visit a Wal-Mart store on a monthly basis, and a quarter of America shops at Wal-Mart Supercenters weekly, according to Retail Forward, Columbus, Ohio. After plateauing, Internet penetration grew smartly in the last six months, according to a Harris Interactive consumer survey conducted in June and August.