TECHNOLOGY

Brick-and-mortar retail is hot in this specialty segment
Multi-brand and vertically integrated beauty stores are shaking up the beauty industry — and growing at a rapid rate. With hundreds of new doors opening in various formats, cosmetics specialty and vertically integrated stores, such as Ulta, Sephora, Bluemercury, NYX, Kiko Milano, and e.l.f., have grown at a compound annual growth rate of nearly 19% over the past five years, according to a report by research and consulting firm Kline. Such stores now account for an estimated 20% of total beauty market sales.
Rent the Runway launches same-day delivery
A designer fashion rental company is getting merchandise into New York City fashionistas' hands even faster. Rent the Runway, already a disruptor in the traditional formal wear category, now offers a service that delivers orders in a matter of hours. Specifically, customers that place orders before 12 p.m., will have it in their hands by 5 p.m., according to CNBC.

Online giant’s new delivery system targets apartment dwellers

Amazon’s new delivery system makes a play for a customer segment initially targeted by Walmart’s e-commerce arm. The online giant introduced a new delivery locker designed for apartment blocks and other housing complexes that may not have services to accept or store packages. Called The Hub by Amazon, the modular system features compartments where packages can be stored for pickup.
Best Buy creates 'Dyson experiences'

A consumer electronics giant is making a move to grab some wallet share from the home category. Starting in August, Best Buy is adding Dyson Demo Experiences – dedicated spaces that will let customers try out Dyson products. Approximately 90 Best Buy stores in the United States will feature the new interactive sections, which will be designed for shoppers to test merchandise.
Department store chain improves inventory accuracy with RFID

The Bon-Ton Stores is speeding up how it restocks merchandise. The department store chain is replacing its manual, paper-based restocking process with a radio frequency identification (RFID)-based system. The solution, from Zebra, enables store associates to fully restock merchandise displays in a fraction of the time — a move that increases productivity and enables associates to spend more time servicing shoppers.
Amazon’s Prime Now Singapore launch hits a snag

Amazon’s Prime Now debut in Singapore started off strong, but high user volume took a toll on the program’s first day of service. The service, which offers free two-hour delivery on tens of thousands of items ordered through the Prime Now app, launched on Thursday morning. By that afternoon, users struggled to use the service, according to CNBC.
Amazon still exploring ‘cashier-less’ checkout projects

Don’t expect Amazon to stop experimenting with cashier-less grocery stores anytime soon. Despite announcing in June it would acquire Whole Foods Market for $13.7 billion, the online giant will continue evolving its Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go concepts, among other efforts. Its goal: to reinvent the way consumers shop for food, according to Business Insider.
Amazon’s healthy Q2 sales can’t offset big earnings drop

Amazon’s Prime Day may have boosted the company’s second quarter sales, but the event wasn’t enough to keep its earnings on track. The online giant’s net income for the second quarter, ended June 30, was $197 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, compared with net income of $857 million, or $1.78 per diluted share, in second quarter 2016. Earnings also drastically missed analyst expectations of $1.42 per share, according to consensus estimates from Thomson Reuters.
Amazon expands Prime Now’s international breadth

Amazon has introduced its same-day delivery service in its ninth country. The online giant launched Prime Now in Singapore, giving Prime members free two-hour delivery on tens of thousands of items ordered through the Prime Now app. Merchandise ranges from grocery items like eggs, cold beer and ice cream to general merchandise, such as baby strollers, toys, and consumer electronics. This is Amazon’s debut in the Southeast Asian market.
Aldi’s newest fulfillment center planned for Arizona

A German discount grocer is buying up land in the Grand Canyon State — but not to open stores. Aldi is planning to open a regional fulfillment center in Goodyear, Arizona. The facility will house an office and distribution center, and will create 132 jobs, according to the Phoenix Business Journal.