Method for performing retail sales analysis

US 20060069585A1
Filed: 09/30/2004
Published: 03/30/2006
Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2004
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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the. the project provides rates at which products associated with the vendor identification code are cross-purchased by the consumer associated with the consumer identification code.

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Abstract

The invention provides a user with substantial flexibility in requesting and generating analysis projects on transaction and/or consumer data that is stored in one or more databases. Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a method for retailers and other authorized users, such as suppliers, to access and perform sophisticated, highly specialized analysis on transaction and/or consumer data, such as retail sales and consumer data, from a remote location using an internet connected computer. The transaction and/or consumer data that is accessed can be a compilation of retail transaction data (collected from EPOS systems, for example) and/or consumer data (which has been collected from frequent-shopper or loyalty cards used by consumers when they shop, for example). Projects are generated as spreadsheet based interactive reports, which are easy to manipulate for further analysis and presentations. Insights from these projects can lead to better decisions on new product launches, sampling, merchandizing, assortment, distribution, and other sales and marketing priorities. Exemplary projects may be interactive, allowing the user to manipulate and extract information which is specific to the user'"'"'s particular needs.

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83 Claims

the. the project provides rates at which products associated with the vendor identification code are cross-purchased by the consumer associated with the consumer identification code.

1. A method for performing a transaction-related analysis, comprising the steps of:
- providing one or more computerized databases that include transaction and/or consumer data for one or more establishments, the transaction and/or consumer data including one or more transaction records associating at least a product identification code with a consumer identification code;
  
  formulating an analysis project request via a user interface that is operatively coupled to a computer system having access to the database; and
  
  generating, by the computer system, an analysis project on the transaction and/or consumer data in response to receiving the analysis project request.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
- - 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface is resident on a network device operatively coupled to the computer system over a global computer network.
  - 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the network device is a web-enabled device operatively coupled to the computer system over the world-wide-web.
  - 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising a step taken from a group consisting of:
    - downloading the analysis project over the world-wide-web from the computer system; and
      
      transmitting the analysis project over the global computer network from the computer system to a user computer operatively coupled to the global computer network.
  - 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more transaction records associates the product identification code with at least one of a transaction time and a transaction date.
  - 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of formulating an analysis project request includes the step of selecting, via the user interface, an analysis project from a predefined list of available analysis projects.
  - 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of formulating an analysis project request includes the step of selecting a time frame in which to limit the analysis of the transaction and/or consumer data.
  - 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the predefined list of available analysis projects includes an analysis project providing rates at which a product associated with the product identification code is repeat purchased by the consumer associated with the consumer identification code.
  - 10. The method of claim 7, wherein:
    - the one or more transaction records associates the product identification code with a vendor identification code; and
      
      the predefined list of available projects includes an analysis project providing rates at which products associated with the vendor identification code are cross-purchased by the consumer associated with the consumer identification code.
  - 11. The method of claim 7, wherein:
    - the one or more transaction records associates the product identification code with a vendor identification code; and
      
      the predefined list of available projects includes an analysis project providing a comparison of rates at which a product associated with a first vendor identification code and a product associated with a second vendor identification code are purchased.
  - 12. The method of claim 7, wherein:
    - the one or more transaction records associates the consumer identification code with a purchaser category; and
      
      the predefined list of available projects includes an analysis project providing a comparison of rates at which a product associated with the product identification code is purchased by consumers in different consumer categories.
  - 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the consumer categories are defined based upon demographic information associated with the consumer identification code.
  - 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the consumer categories are defined based upon data derived from shopping histories associated with the consumer identification code.
  - 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the consumer categories are defined based upon data associated with price sensitivity associated with the consumer identification code.
  - 16. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of formulating an analysis project request includes the step of selecting one or more products from a list of available products.
  - 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of selecting one or more products from a list of available products is preceded by a step of selecting a product category from a list of available product categories.
  - 18. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of saving at least portions of the analysis project request for re-use in the formulation of future analysis project requests.
  - 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating the analysis project is repeated periodically.
  - 20. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more transaction records associates the product identification code and the consumer identification code with a transaction price.
  - 21. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of downloading, via the user interface, the analysis project from the computer system.
  - 22. The method of claim 1, wherein the analysis project request pertains to an analysis project providing rates at which a product associated with the product identification code is repeat purchased by the consumer associated with the consumer identification code.
  - 23. The method of claim 1, wherein:
    - the one or more transaction records associates the product identification code with a vendor identification code; and
      
      the analysis project request pertains to an analysis project providing rates at which products associated with the vendor identification code are cross-purchased by the consumer associated with the consumer identification code.
  - 24. The method of claim 1, wherein:
    - the one or more transaction records associates the product identification code with a vendor identification code; and
      
      the analysis project request pertains to an analysis project providing a comparison of rates at which a product associated with a first vendor identification code and a product associated with a second vendor identification code are purchased.
  - 25. The method of claim 1, wherein:
    - the one or more transaction records associates the consumer identification code with a purchaser category; and
      
      the analysis project request pertains to an analysis project providing a comparison of rates at which a product associated with the product identification code is purchased by consumers in different purchaser categories.
  - 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the purchaser categories are defined based upon demographic information associated with the consumer identification code.
  - 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the purchaser categories are defined based upon data derived from shopping histories associated with the consumer identification code.
  - 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the purchaser categories are defined based upon data associated with price sensitivity associated with the consumer identification code.
  - 29. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of formulating an analysis project request includes the step of selecting one or more products from a list of available products.
  - 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the step of selecting one or more products from a list of available products is preceded by a step of selecting a product category from a list of available product categories.
  - 31. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of collecting at least a portion of the transaction and/or consumer data from shopper loyalty card data.

32. A method for performing a transactional analysis, comprising the steps of:
- providing one or more databases that include transaction and/or consumer data for one or more establishments, the transaction and/or consumer data including one or more transaction records associating at least a product identification code with consumer identification code;
  
  generating, by a computer system having access to the database, a project on the transaction and/or consumer data; and
  
  transmitting, by the computer system, the project to a user interface operatively coupled to the computer system.
- View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
- - 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of generating the project is repeated periodically.
  - 34. The method of claim 32, wherein the one or more transaction records associates the product identification code and the consumer identification code with a transaction price.
  - 35. The method of claim 32, wherein the project provides rates at which a product associated with the product identification code is repeat purchased by the consumer associated with the consumer identification code.
  - 36. The method of claim 32, wherein:
    - the one or more transaction records associates the product identification code with a vendor identification code; and
      
      the project provides rates at which products associated with the vendor identification code are cross-purchased by the consumer associated with the consumer identification code.
  - 37. The method of claim 32, wherein:
    - the one or more transaction records associates the product identification code with a vendor identification code; and
      
      the project provides rates at which a product associated with a first vendor identification code and a product associated with a second vendor identification code are purchased.
  - 38. The method of claim 32, wherein:
    - the one or more transaction records associates the consumer identification code with a purchaser category; and
      
      the project provides a comparison of rates at which a product associated with the product identification code is purchased by consumers in different consumer categories.
  - 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the consumer categories are defined based upon demographic information associated with the consumer identification code.
  - 40. The method of claim 38, wherein the consumer categories are defined based upon data derived from shopping histories associated with the consumer identification code.
  - 41. The method of claim 40, wherein the purchaser categories are defined based upon data associated with price sensitivity associated with the consumer identification code.
  - 42. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of collecting at least a portion of the transaction and/or consumer data from shopper loyalty card data.

43. A method for performing a transactional analysis, comprising the steps of:
- providing one or more databases that include transaction and/or consumer data for one or more establishments;
  
  providing a computer system having access to the one or more databases;
  
  obtaining from a user, through a computer interface provided by the computer system, parameters for analysis of the transaction data and/or consumer data;
  
  feeding, by the computer system, the obtained parameters into an executable job file;
  
  executing, by the computer system, the executable job file on the transaction and/or consumer data to return results; and
  
  presenting to the user a project reflecting the returned results.
- View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73)
- - 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the parameters for analysis include parameters relating to measures of retail sales.
  - 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the parameters for analysis include an identification of an analysis format, an identification of retail products for analysis, and an identification of a timeframe for analysis.
  - 46. The method of claim 45, wherein the analysis format pertains to rates at which consumers make repeat purchases of a retail product.
  - 47. The method of claim 45, wherein the analysis format pertains to rates at which consumers make repeat purchases of a retail product at a particular type of retail establishment.
  - 48. The method of claim 45, wherein the analysis format pertains to an identification of successful or unsuccessful recently-launched retail products for a retail establishment.
  - 49. The method of claim 45, wherein the analysis format pertains to rates at which consumers cross-shop a vendor'"'"'s retail products.
  - 50. The method of claim 45, wherein the analysis format pertains to rates at which consumers cross-shop a vendor'"'"'s retail products at one of a particular retail establishment and a particular type of retail establishment.
  - 51. The method of claim 45, wherein the analysis format pertains to key sales measures in a particular retail product category.
  - 52. The method of claim 45, wherein the analysis format pertains to key sales measures for a vendor'"'"'s retail products.
  - 53. The method of claim 52, wherein the analysis format pertains to key sales measures for the vendor'"'"'s retail products over time.
  - 54. The method of claim 45, wherein the analysis format pertains to key sales measures for a particular brand of retail products over time.
  - 55. The method of claim 45, wherein the analysis format pertains to other retail products purchased by consumers of a vendor'"'"'s retail products.
  - 56. The method of claim 45, wherein the analysis pertains to locations where a particular retail product is sold.
  - 57. The method of claim 45, wherein the analysis pertains to locations where a vendor'"'"'s brand of retail products is sold.
  - 58. The method of claim 45, wherein the analysis pertains to types of consumers who purchase the vendor'"'"'s retail products.
  - 59. The method of claim 58, wherein the analysis pertains to types of consumers who purchase the vendor'"'"'s retail products over time.
  - 60. The method of claim 58, wherein the analysis pertains to types of consumers who purchase the vendor'"'"'s retail products in one of a particular retail establishment and a particular type of retail establishment.
  - 61. The method of claim 45, wherein, in the obtaining step, the user is prompted to select at least one of the parameters for analysis from a menu containing a plurality of available parameters.
  - 62. The method of claim 61, wherein the user is prompted to select each of the parameters for analysis from the menu.
  - 63. The method of claim 45, wherein the computer interface is a web-based interface.
  - 64. The method of claim 63, further comprising, prior to the obtaining step, a step of verifying that the user has rights to access the computer system.
  - 65. The method of claim 45, wherein the feeding step further includes a step of merging the obtained parameters with segments of the executable code to create an executable job file.
  - 66. The method of claim 65, wherein the segments of the executable code with which the obtained parameters are merged is determined, at least in part, from at least one of the obtained parameters.
  - 67. The method of claim 45, wherein:
    - the project is presented as a spreadsheet file;
      
      the method further comprises a step of generating the spreadsheet file from the returned results; and
      
      the generating step including the steps of selecting a spreadsheet project template from a plurality of available spreadsheet project templates based upon the analysis format and populating the spreadsheet project template with at least a portion of the returned results.
  - 68. The method of claim 43, wherein the transaction and/or consumer data and consumer data includes an identity of products purchased, quantity of products purchased, date of purchase, and a code related to a particular purchasing consumer.
  - 69. The method of claim 43, wherein the project is presented as an interactive project.
  - 70. The method of claim 69, further comprising a step of generating the interactive project from the returned results, the generating step including the steps of selecting a project template from a plurality of available project templates based upon at least one of the obtained parameters and populating the project template with at least a portion of the returned results.
  - 71. The method of claim 43, wherein the step presenting to the user a project reflecting the returned analysis includes the steps of:
    - notifying the user of the availability of the project; and
      
      providing the user with access to the project after notifying the user and upon the user requesting access to the project.
  - 72. The method of claim 71, wherein the step of providing the user with access to the project includes the step of downloading the project to the user'"'"'s computer.
  - 73. The method of claim 71, wherein the step of providing the user with access to the project includes the step of providing the access to the project to the user via a web-based interface.

74. A computerized system for performing analysis comprising:
- one or more databases having transaction and/or consumer data for one or more establishments, the transaction and/or consumer data including one or more transaction records associating at least a product identification code with a consumer identification code; and
  
  a computer system having access to the database, the computer system being configured to perform the steps of;
  
  generating a project on the transaction and/or consumer data; and
  
  transmitting the project to a user interface operatively coupled to the computer system.
- View Dependent Claims (75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83)
- - 75. The computerized system of claim 74, wherein the one or more transaction records associates the product identification code and the consumer identification code with a transaction price.
  - 76. The computerized system of claim 74, wherein the project provides rates at which a product associated with the product identification code is repeat purchased by the consumer associated with the consumer identification code.
  - 77. The computerized system of claim 74, wherein:
    - the one or more databases include one or more product records that associate the product identification code with a vendor identification code; and
  - 78. The computerized system of claim 74, wherein:
    - the one or more databases include one or more product records that associate the product identification code with a vendor identification code; and
      
      the project provides rates at which a product associated with a first vendor identification code and a product associated with a second vendor identification code are purchased.
  - 79. The computerized system of claim 74, wherein:
    - the one or more databases include one or more consumer records that associate the consumer identification code with a purchaser category; and
      
      the project provides a comparison of rates at which a product associated with the product identification code is purchased by consumers in different consumer categories.
  - 80. The computerized system of claim 79, wherein the consumer categories are defined based upon demographic information associated with the consumer identification code.
  - 81. The computerized system of claim 79, wherein the consumer categories are defined based upon data derived from shopping histories associated with the consumer identification code.
  - 82. The method of claim 81, wherein the consumer categories are defined based upon data associated with price sensitivity associated with the consumer identification code.
  - 83. The computerized system of claim 74, the transaction and/or consumer data is taken from shopper loyalty card data.

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Current Assignee
Dunnhumby Limited (Nabors Industries Limited)
Original Assignee
Dunnhumby Limited (Nabors Industries Limited)
Inventors
Stern, David, Blake, Edwin, Springfield, Paul

Granted Patent

US 8,214,246 B2
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

705/10
CPC Class Codes

G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation...

G06Q 30/0201 Market modelling; Market an...

Method for performing retail sales analysis

First Claim

2 Assignments

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Abstract

168 Citations

83 Claims

Specification

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Method for performing retail sales analysis

First Claim

2 Assignments

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0 Petitions

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Accused Products

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Abstract

168 Citations

83 Claims

Specification

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Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links