Core Insights - Sensormatic Solutions has introduced a new customizable electronic article surveillance (EAS) system called the FLEX platform, aimed at enhancing retail environments and customer experiences [1][2] - The FLEX platform integrates visual merchandising, digital content management, and loss prevention technology, allowing retailers to create engaging storefronts while deterring theft [1][2] - The system will be showcased at the 2026 NRF Big Show in New York City from January 11-13, where attendees can explore its features [3] Company Overview - Johnson Controls, the parent company of Sensormatic Solutions, focuses on transforming environments for various sectors, emphasizing smart and sustainable building solutions [4][5] - With a history of 140 years, Johnson Controls offers a comprehensive digital offering called OpenBlue, which includes a wide range of building technology and software solutions [5] Product Features - The FLEX platform is designed to increase foot traffic and sales by enhancing retail operations and customer engagement while minimizing shrinkage [7] - Its modular design allows for customization, enabling retailers to maintain brand experiences and adapt to changing trends [7] - The platform supports retail media network (RMN) performance by utilizing high-quality displays to capture shopper attention and create new revenue streams [7] Brand Positioning - Sensormatic Solutions has been a leader in retail technology for over 60 years, focusing on loss prevention, inventory intelligence, and traffic insights to help retailers innovate [8]

This story was originally published on C-Store Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily C-Store Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Dover Fueling Solutions has launched 4CourtMedia, a retail media network designed for DFS’s fuel dispensers, the company announced on Tuesday. The network, which will operate primarily on Wayne Ovation fuel dispenser screens, will deliver multimedia content to customers while they fuel up their vehicles. It is available on more than 13,000 screens ac ...

4Court Media gives endemic and non-endemic advertisers access to a broad range of fueling retailers, including thousands of independent operators that are traditionally harder to reach through national media buys. 4Court Media's retail media network primarily operates on Wayne Ovation® fuel dispenser screens, including its 27- inch and 12-inch high definition displays, to deliver vivid, multimedia content that captures the attention of consumers during their fueling experience. For retailers, 4Court Media p ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported revenue of $9.7 billion for Q3, with an adjusted operating income rate of 4% and adjusted earnings per share increasing by 11% year-over-year to $1.40 [5][25] - Comparable sales growth was 2.7%, exceeding expectations [5][24] - Domestic revenue increased by 2.1% to $8.9 billion, while international revenue rose by 6.1% to $794 million [25][26] - The adjusted operating income rate increased by 30 basis points compared to last year [25][27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Strong sales performance was noted in computing, gaming, and mobile phones, with computing achieving its seventh consecutive quarter of positive comps [5][6] - Desktop computers saw nearly 30% year-over-year growth, while gaming demand remained strong for the Nintendo Switch 2 [6][7] - Online revenue increased by 3.5% on a comparable basis, representing 31.8% of domestic revenue [25][26] - Declines were observed in home theater, appliance, and drone categories [5] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a 17% decline in customer contacts due to improved customer support capabilities [17] - Online sales were up for the fourth consecutive quarter, driven by higher traffic and customer adoption of the app [7] - The international gross profit rate increased by 30 basis points to 22.8%, primarily due to favorable supply chain costs [27] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to strengthen its position as a leading omnichannel destination for technology while building new profit streams [9] - Strategic priorities include enhancing omnichannel experiences, driving incremental profitability streams through the marketplace, and improving operational efficiencies [13][17] - The marketplace has onboarded over 1,000 sellers and significantly increased the number of SKUs available [14][45] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the holiday season, highlighting compelling deals and strong marketing efforts [18][22] - The company expects Q4 comparable sales to range from down 1% to up 1%, with an adjusted operating income rate of 4.8%-4.9% [28][29] - There is an expectation for continued growth in computing and mobile phones, driven by product upgrades and innovation [36][38] Other Important Information - The company recorded pre-tax non-cash asset impairments of $192 million related to Best Buy Health, impacting adjusted results [27] - The loyalty program has over 100 million members, with nearly 8 million paid members, indicating strong customer engagement [53] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on Q4 guidance and expectations - Management indicated that the Q4 sales guidance was slightly lower than previous expectations but still reflects a strong outlook [34][35] Question: Demand trends for gaming and mobile products - Continued growth is expected in computing and mobile phones, with the Nintendo Switch 2 contributing positively [36][37] Question: Performance of the marketplace and its impact on EBIT - The marketplace has shown positive early indicators, with high unit sales and lower return rates compared to first-party sales [44][46] Question: Updates on the loyalty program's performance - The loyalty program remains crucial, with a focus on personalized promotions to drive engagement [52][54] Question: Store investment and future strategies - The company plans to continue investing in store experiences and exploring smaller format stores to enhance customer engagement [56][59]

Core Insights - Casey's General Stores has launched its retail media network, Casey's Access, in early 2023, capitalizing on the emerging advertising channel in the convenience store industry [2] - The partnership with GSTV aims to enhance Casey's Access by providing branded video content at fuel dispensers across 2,900 locations, significantly expanding its advertising capabilities [6] Group 1: Retail Media Network Development - Casey's Access has collected over six billion data points from shopper interactions since its inception [2] - The network features various advertising formats, including display ads, sponsored products, app takeovers, and AI-enabled audio [2] - The partnership with GSTV will add branded video content to Casey's Access, enhancing customer experience and influencing purchase decisions [3][4] Group 2: Partnership with GSTV - GSTV's network includes major convenience and fuel retailers, reaching over 115 million adults monthly across approximately 29,000 locations in the U.S. [4] - The collaboration will increase Casey's digital screen count to over 30,000 across its stores once fully rolled out [6] - The addition of Casey's to GSTV's national network is expected to benefit brand advertisers looking to expand their reach in the convenience channel [5]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a Gross Transaction Value (GTV) growth of 11% year over year, driven by a 17% increase in orders, although the average order value decreased by 5% year over year [20][22] - GAAP net income reached $116 million, up 92% year over year, while adjusted EBITDA was $262 million, reflecting a 26% year over year increase [22][24] - Stock-based compensation increased to $105 million, up $39 million quarter over quarter, with expectations for a decrease in Q3 [23][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Advertising and other revenue grew by 12% year over year, remaining flat at 2.8% of GTV, indicating resilience despite a pullback from one of the largest brand partners [21][22] - The company has scaled advertising revenue to over $1 billion in annual run rate, increasing the number of active brand partners from 4,000 to over 7,500 [13][22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company continues to lead in share of sales among digital-first players, with its share being more than three times larger than the next competitor [11][12] - The company is seeing strong user growth and higher order frequency, particularly among new customers acquired in 2025 [8][31] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on enhancing its interconnected ecosystem, which allows for scalable tools that help retailers innovate and compete [10][11] - The strategy includes deepening retail partnerships and expanding into new categories, such as alcohol and restaurant orders through partnerships like Uber Eats [30][31] - The company aims to maintain its leadership position by meeting customers' full grocery needs, particularly in the big basket segment [12][13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's future, highlighting the strength of its operating model and the ability to deliver value for retailers and customers [13][25] - The leadership transition to Chris Rogers as the new CEO is seen as a positive step for the company's future growth [17][18] Other Important Information - The company has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its enterprise offerings and has repurchased over $1.6 billion worth of shares [15][24] - AI technology is integrated into the company's operations, with over 80% of code deployed in Q2 being AI-assisted [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Competitive landscape and supply improvements - Management discussed the importance of onboarding more retailers and deepening existing partnerships to enhance supply and improve conversion rates [28][30] Question: Growth composition between grocery and restaurants - Management clarified that the addition of restaurant orders has contributed to overall order growth, with expectations for moderation in Q3 [34][36] Question: Interest in the Instacart platform and enterprise pipeline - Management highlighted the focus on Storefront Pro and the ability to upsell additional services to existing retailers [44][46] Question: CPG environment and advertising outlook - Management noted ongoing uncertainty in the CPG environment but emphasized the resilience of their advertising revenue and the potential for emerging brands to gain market share [52][56] Question: Affordability initiatives and customer retention - Management explained that their affordability strategy is broad-based and includes various initiatives to enhance customer retention and engagement [103][106]

Core Insights - Quad/Graphics Inc. is expanding its In-Store Connect retail media network into Vallarta Supermarkets, enhancing shopper engagement and providing new opportunities for consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands [1][2] Company Overview - Quad is a marketing experience company that integrates creative, production, and media solutions across online and offline channels, serving approximately 2,100 clients and employing around 11,000 people in 11 countries [5][6] Partnership Details - The partnership will introduce digital signage in 15 Vallarta stores, focusing on high-traffic areas to promote CPG brands, local products, and special promotions, with messaging available in both English and Spanish [2][3] - Vallarta Supermarkets aims to enhance customer experience and loyalty through innovative tools like In-Store Connect, which allows for effective communication of unique products and savings [3][4] Market Impact - The collaboration is expected to deepen shopper loyalty and create immersive shopping experiences, as 88% of consumers find it easy to remember engaging physical store experiences [4]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported revenue of $9.7 million for Q1 2025, down from $12.3 million in Q1 2024, attributed to installation timing on several large projects [5][6] - Gross profit decreased to $4.5 million from $5.8 million year-over-year, with a gross margin of 46%, consistent with the prior year [6] - Annual recurring revenue (ARR) increased to a run rate of $17.3 million at the end of the quarter, up from $16.8 million at the start of 2025 [6] - Adjusted EBITDA remained stable at $500,000, with SG&A expenses down 11% to $5.2 million compared to $5.8 million in Q1 2024 [7] - Total debt rose to approximately $23.2 million, primarily due to the settlement of a contingent liability, while cash on hand increased to $1.1 million from $1 million at the end of 2024 [9][16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is focusing on a significant project with a well-known upscale quick service restaurant chain, which is expected to enhance its digital transformation strategy [10][11] - The BCTV project is progressing, with over 300 site installations completed and plans for an additional 200 sites in Q3, potentially generating $3 million in revenue [19][20] - The DigiPoint Media Network is set to deploy approximately 2,000 sites, expected to generate over $4 million in hardware and installation revenue [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The sports and entertainment vertical shows a high appetite for spending, with multiple proof of concepts (POCs) underway, including three MLB projects [18][19] - The company is engaged in discussions for potential projects in Mexico, indicating a positive outlook for revenue growth in 2026 [61] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to optimize its capital structure and manage debt while pursuing commercial growth opportunities [10][12] - The introduction of the AdLogic CPM platform is expected to enhance revenue potential, with significant interest from large retail customers [13][33] - The company is focused on enhancing its technology and operational capabilities to support anticipated growth in the second half of the year [22][41] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in revenue acceleration beginning in Q2 and throughout the second half of the year, with expectations for adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue to rise to 15% by year-end [12][14] - The company remains optimistic about its pipeline of opportunities, despite global trade uncertainties not significantly impacting current projects [28][29] Other Important Information - The company achieved SOC 2 Type 1 compliance and expects to achieve Type 2 compliance by year-end, enhancing its credibility with enterprise customers [21] - The company has revamped its operations and warehouse facilities to increase capacity for processing orders and projects [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Expectations for screen installs related to the large QSR win - Management expects to begin installations at 20 locations or more per month by the end of Q3, with 600 out of 1,000 locations expressing interest in converting to digital [25][26] Question: Details on delays in the first quarter - Delays were due to three separate projects, not a broad-based issue, and management has seen a reversal in the second quarter [27] Question: Pipeline of large procurements and impact of global trade uncertainty - Management remains optimistic about the quality and size of top opportunities, with no current projects on hold due to tariffs [28][29] Question: Demand for the ad tech solution and its impact - The ad tech market is in early stages, with significant interest from large retail customers, indicating potential revenue growth in 2026 and 2027 [31][33] Question: Insights on the sports and entertainment vertical - The vertical has a high appetite for spending, with many customers looking to upgrade facilities to enhance fan experiences [53][54] Question: Update on the DigiPoint Media Network - The network will utilize the company's entire tech stack, expected to generate incremental revenue and enhance day two services [58] Question: Opportunities in Mexico - Management is optimistic about potential projects in Mexico, including a POC with a top convenience store chain [61]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported revenue of $11 million for Q4 2024, down from $14.5 million in Q4 2023, with a gross profit of $4.9 million compared to $7.5 million last year [7] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2024 was approximately $500,000, a decrease from $2.8 million in the previous year, with annual recurring revenue (ARR) at a run rate of $16.8 million [7][10] - The company achieved a record annual revenue exceeding $50 million with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 10% for the full year [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company completed 56 site installations in Q4 at an average sale price of $30,000, with expectations for a moderate increase in installations in the second half of 2025 [18] - The introduction of the AdLogic CPM plus platform is expected to enhance targeting precision and reduce costs for customers, positioning the company as a comprehensive ad tech solution provider [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is experiencing strong demand for its solutions, particularly in the quick-service restaurant and retail sectors, with significant projects in the pipeline [12][16] - The sports and entertainment sector has seen growth, with three MLB projects awarded in Q1 2025 and additional POCs ongoing at various venues [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to accelerate revenue growth in the second half of 2025, driven by better economies of scale and higher margins [10] - The focus is on enhancing customer experience through innovative solutions and expanding the retail media network offerings [12][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in overcoming the current operational challenges and anticipates a strong performance in 2025, despite a weaker Q1 [52] - The company is optimistic about the resolution of contingent liabilities, which will provide financial flexibility and allow a focus on growth [10][11] Other Important Information - The company has settled its contingent liability related to the acquisition of Reflex Systems, involving a $3 million cash payment and a $4 million promissory note [10][11] - The company achieved SOC2 Type one compliance, with expectations to reach Type two certification by year-end, enhancing its credibility with enterprise customers [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Commentary on customer conversations regarding the frozen pipeline - Management noted that customers are beginning to move projects forward after a period of stagnation, with expectations for several projects to finalize soon [21][22] Question: Impact of tariffs on business - Management indicated that while there are concerns about tariffs, most components are domestically sourced, and only slight increases in costs are expected [24] Question: Adoption of the new AdLogic platform by existing customers - Customers are embracing the AdLogic platform as it enhances their digital operations, leading to potential margin improvements [34] Question: Visibility and flexibility from the new ERP system - The new ERP system is expected to provide significant cost management benefits and improve operational metrics [37][38] Question: Progress with channel partners - The company is actively recruiting and signing new channel partners, with demand for licenses increasing [42] Question: Details on the contingent consideration settlement - The settlement includes a six-year warrant with a strike price of $3.25, totaling approximately $800,000 [48] Question: Expectations for revenue growth in 2025 - Management expects year-over-year revenue growth in 2025 to exceed 2024 levels, with adjusted EBITDA profitability anticipated in Q1 [52][53] Question: Dynamics of customer adjustments impacting ARR - Two large customers made adjustments that led to a temporary decline in ARR, but management expects to recover this revenue in 2025 [101][102] Question: Future cash flow dynamics on major projects - Cash flow can vary significantly based on whether projects are privately or publicly funded, with deposits typically required for private projects [78] Question: Clarification on adjusted EBITDA margin expectations - Management aims to achieve a 15% adjusted EBITDA margin by the end of the year, with expectations for revenue growth to support this target [81][84]