TECHNOLOGY

Online giant now owns a 3D body scanning startup
Amazon’s newest acquisition could give a boost to the company’s fashion category — including its growing private-label apparel business. The online giant has acquired Body Labs, a 3D scanning platform that uses artificial intelligence, computer vision, and body modeling to accurately create an avatar-like image of a customer’s dimensions. The 3D platform provider announced the news on its website.
Walmart goes live
Walmart has officially gone live with voice shopping on the Google Home platform. As it was announced back in August, the discounter is partnering with Google to allow its customers to shop for Walmart items through voice via Google Assistant, the search giant's online shopping platform that lives on its smart speaker. On Wednesday, the partnership went live, with more than two million Walmart items available through voice.

Survey: Retailers are missing out on a big opportunity

For all the buzz about buy-online-pickup-in-store, not that many retailers are actually deploying the service.
Cloud-based platform puts Jonathan Adler on fast track

A home furnishings brand is in rapid expansion mode — something that wasn’t possible five years ago.
Study: Shoppers want technology that transforms — not replaces — the store experience

For many customers, the ideal digital “store of the future” will streamline payments and make it easier to pick up purchases. This was according to the “Consumer View,” a study from the National Retail Federation that tracks consumer awareness and adoption rates across a variety of retail technologies.
The Profit's Marcus Lemonis launches new retail concept

A new women's apparel store has made its debut in Chicago. Marcus Lemonis Fashion Group, which is owned by Marcus Lemonis, star of CNBC hit reality series “The Profit,” CEO of Camping World and all-around retail entrepreneur, has opened Marcus, on Chicago's Gold Coast. Additional locations are expected to open within the next six months in Aspen, Col.; Hinsdale, Ill., and New York City.
First Look: Nordstrom Local, West Hollywood, Calif.

Nordstrom has unveiled its new retail concept, Nordstrom Local. Located in West Hollywood, Calif., the 3,000-sq.-ft. store offers all sorts of services, including on-site tailoring, personal stylists, buy-online-pickup-in-store, manicures — but has no dedicated inventory. Eight fitting rooms (associates can transfer requested merchandise from Nordstrom stores or its website to Nordstrom Local for try on) surround a central meeting space.
Nominations open for most influential women in retail tech

Who are the leading women working in retail technology? Chain Store Age is accepting nominations for its annual feature recognizing female executives who are helping to transform the retail industry through technology. The “Top 10 Women in Retail Tech” will celebrate the achievements of retail executives from all areas of technology. The winners will be profiled in a special section of the January 2018 issue of Chain Store Age, as well as in an online report on chainstoreage.com.
Study: Retailers cutting prices to compete with online players

Online-only retailers may be taking a toll on omnichannel companies, but traditional companies are finding ways to fight back. This was according to “Brick-and-Mortar Retailers Fight Back: Winning Strategies to Compete with Online-Only Players,” a report from Applied Predictive Technologies (APT).
Report: Online giant has its eye on some French supermarkets

Amazon is exploring its next grocery opportunity — but not in the United States. The online giant is looking for physical store locations in France, especially Paris. French newspaper Le Monde, which first broke the story, said Amazon has approached various French supermarket operators — including Groupe Casino, Intermarche and Systeme U — about setting up distribution deals or making an acquisition in the country, according to CNBC.