Technology
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Consumers aren't fully embracing virtual shopping tools this holiday season
Only about half of shoppers will use voice assistants, chatbots and other emerging technology, according to a new survey.
By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 05, 2019 -
Mobile accounted for two-thirds of Black Friday traffic
However, 60% of purchases are still made via desktop, a recent Bloomreach report found.
By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 05, 2019 -
Checkout-free startup secures $30M in funding
Accel Robotics joins a growing number of companies touting technology that can deliver frictionless shopping experiences.
By Jessica Dumont • Dec. 04, 2019 -
American Eagle embeds QR codes in shirts for Giving Tuesday
Select items sport an icon people can scan to activate Delivering Good's donation website.
By Robert Williams • Dec. 04, 2019 -
J.C. Penney hires new chief digital officer
The previous digital chief of Pandora Jewelry is stepping into the role at the department store chain, which has been losing online share for years.
By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 03, 2019 -
Secondhand apparel platform Vinted raises $141M
Lightspeed Venture Partners, which led the funding round, has also invested in Stitch Fix, Rothy's and Bonobos.
By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 03, 2019 -
Retailers to spend $1.5B on AR/VR in 2020
A new study forecasts that worldwide spending on augmented and virtual reality will soar to $18.8 billion next year, an increase of nearly 80%.
By Robert Williams • Dec. 03, 2019 -
Black Friday cybersecurity responsibility falls to customers
Cybercriminals feed on shoppers with weak personal cyber hygiene. Have companies done enough to protect customers?
By Samantha Ann Schwartz • Nov. 27, 2019 -
Want to appeal to young holiday shoppers? Invest in tech
Shoppers under the age of 35 will spend more this season but want streamlined technology and environmentally friendly practices, a survey found.
By Lisa Rowan • Nov. 27, 2019 -
Pensa Systems raises $10M to expand its inventory management tech
The technology uses computer vision, AI and autonomous drones to track what's on store shelves, allowing retailers to better manage merchandise.
By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 26, 2019 -
Will retailers avoid Black Friday website outages?
A new survey reveals that nearly one-quarter of retail companies don't have a plan in place if their websites go down.
By Lisa Rowan • Nov. 25, 2019 -
JC Penney rings in holiday proposal season with AR ad driving virtual try-ons
The mobile campaign with Verizon Media includes immersive, full-screen spots and a "wedding personality" quiz.
By Natalie Koltun • Nov. 22, 2019 -
Amazon introduces smart shelf reordering system for businesses
The Dash Smart Shelf measures designated products by weight to determine when it's time to replenish supply.
By Lisa Rowan • Nov. 22, 2019 -
Simon Property Group launches GuesstHouse space for DTC brands
The space at The Westchester shopping mall is the latest move Simon has made to woo brands and further blend the offline and online experiences.
By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 21, 2019 -
Target bets on homegrown inventory system, distribution automation
With shelves stocked and replenished more efficiently, employees are free to take on more important tasks.
By Samantha Ann Schwartz • Nov. 21, 2019 -
Adidas' AR activation drops shoppers into a trash-filled virtual ocean
Immersing app users in a littered ocean around the holidays highlights environmental issues and shows how the brand turns plastic waste into shoes.
By Robert Williams • Nov. 20, 2019 -
7-Eleven's delivery app now handles Alexa, Google Assistant orders
New convenience-minded features arrive months after the chain debuted delivery hot spots, mobile checkout and AR loyalty tie-ins.
By Robert Williams • Nov. 20, 2019 -
Dick's Sporting Goods brings gear to life in CGI holiday spot
Videos of animation and live-action filming help tell the story of what happens in the retailer's store at night when the merchandise comes alive.
By Barry Levine • Nov. 20, 2019 -
Macy's suffers another data breach
The hack, which went undetected for about a week, comes at a particularly inopportune time for the department store.
By Daphne Howland • Nov. 20, 2019 -
Saks creates multichannel experience for 'Frozen 2' holiday windows
The annual window unveiling will include a live event featuring a musical performance by Idina Menzel, who voices Elsa in the film.
By Dianna Christe • Nov. 19, 2019 -
Aveda taps AI for virtual hair color sampling
The try-on experience features 64 hair colors and a "color melt" effect for another 30 shades.
By Robert Williams • Nov. 18, 2019 -
Customer marketing solutions firm Punchh raises $40M
The funding will be used to improve the company's AI capabilities as it moves into convenience stores and other brick-and-mortar retail segments.
By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 18, 2019 -
TikTok opens door to social commerce with test of shoppable video links
Footage shows how links embedded in posts can go directly to an influencer's curated Amazon page.
By Peter Adams • Nov. 18, 2019 -
Walmart launches voice shopping for grocery on Apple
The Siri shortcut will allow customers to say "add to Walmart" and list out products they want in their online cart.
By Krishna Thakker • Nov. 14, 2019 -
Wayfair introduces mobile app with visual technology features
The tools are aimed at helping consumers picture products in their homes prior to purchase.
By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 14, 2019
