ECOMMERCE

The growth of e-commerce and the increasing emphasis on delivery speed as well as pick-up services for retail goods will likely precipitate a convergence of industrial distribution and retail real estate.   

Amazon’s latest grocery initiative is now up and running for customers.   AmazonFresh Pickup, the online grocer’s drive-by grocery delivery service, allows Amazon Prime members to order groceries online and pick them up in as little as 15 minutes. The concept launched in March, with two locations in Seattle. Initially in a beta mode, the service was available only to Amazon employees. But as of May 25, it is now open also to Amazon prime members in the general public.   

Warby Parker is taking self-service to a new level.   The eyewear retailer built its brand on enabling online shoppers to create their ideal pair of specs. Now the company is further extending its self-service options with an app that lets shoppers take a vision test at home.  

Amazon is making its debut in the bridal category —a move that will take another hit against its crafting competitor Etsy.   

Shoe Palace is moving into the cloud to enhance its omnichannel operations.   A preferred Nike retailer, Shoe Palace is known for its high-end athletic footwear and apparel, and top-notch customer service. The family-run business opened its first store in San Jose, California in 1993. Today, the company operates 118 stores nationwide, and an e-commerce site.   

Online retailing is changing the game for pet parents.   Specifically, 40% of pet owners are opting to buy pet products online, up from 37% the previous year, and notably higher than results from 2014, according to U.S. Pet Market Outlook, 2017-2018. The report, from research firm Packaged Facts, highlights mergers and acquisitions, retail channel trends, and pet owner demographics and spending habits.  

Walmart will be making big changes to a lot of stores this year, according to a report from MLive.com. Among the roughly 400-640 stores that will get a remodel this year are 12 Michigan locations, the report said.

MLive notes that among the changes coming to stores undergoing a remodel will be a lounge-like area for in-store pickup, the locations of which will move to the front of the store, more fresh and organic offerings, wider aisles and changed sightlines. Three markets in Michigan also will see the piloting of online grocery ordering for in-store pickup, the report said.

With its epic product launches, Nike’s digital channels can get unprecedented levels of interest and demand. And crashes are unacceptable.   The athletic goods giant is on pace to hit $50 billion in revenue by 2020, a goal that Nike expects to hit with the support of its digital strategy, according to Mike Wittig, VP infrastructure, Nike.