TECHNOLOGY

Office supplies giant makes big changes to loyalty program
Office Depot had one goal when updating its loyalty program: to make sure that every shopper is rewarded. The office supplies giant debuted its new loyalty program. Besides being free, the “Office Depot OfficeMax Rewards Everything” program is designed to save customers money, and deliver expanded benefits. The program evolved following a year-long pilot in several markets, a process that enabled the company to gather customer feedback needed to redesign the program.
Retailers hope to steal some Prime Day thunder
Amazon may be pulling out the stops to lure customers to participate in Prime Day, but competitors are taking steps to grab their own online sales. The online giant’s third annual Prime Day global shopping extravaganza officially kicked off on Monday, July 10, at 6 pm PST, and will run until the wee hours of morning on July 12. Eager to take advantage of early bird shoppers, Amazon began rolling out sneak previews — and sales opportunities — as early as last week.

Kroger is defending its turf

The nation's largest supermarket operator is suing the German discount grocer Lidl over trademark infringement. In a complaint filed last week in U.S. District Court in Virginia, Kroger claims that Lidl’s house brand, “Preferred Selection,” too closely resembles Kroger's own brand, “Private Selection.”
Quick-service giant delivers on-demand ice cream

Baskin-Robbins is making sure its customers get their ice cream fix exactly when they crave it. On July 6, the quick service company launched a service that enables customers in 22 cities to order ice cream online and have it delivered in under an hour. Through its partnership with DoorDash, Baskin-Robbins shoppers can order a variety of frozen treats — from pre-packed quarts to sundaes — either online or via the DoorDash mobile app. The app is available for Android and iOS devices.
Amazon adds Prime Now deals to Prime Day mix

Amazon wants to get Prime Day deals into shoppers hands even faster. The online giant has added exclusive deals related to its Prime Now service to its Prime Day shopping extravaganza — a move that will get qualifying purchases to members within two hours. These deals will begin on Saturday, July 8 (two days prior to Prime Day’s launch), and run through July 11.
Jet.com tries its hand at online sampling

Walmart’s e-commerce arm is shaking up its customer engagement efforts. Jet.com is adopting product sampling to forge stronger relationships with its online shoppers. Though a partnership with BrandShare, the online retailer will deliver 300,000 premium product samples and exclusive offers each month inside e-commerce packages. BrandShare is a long-time partner of Jet’s parent company, Walmart.
Sam’s Club testing new delivery programs

A warehouse club chain is making it easier for business customers to receive their online orders. Sam’s Club is testing a business delivery program in Dallas. Besides enabling business owners to place orders online, new services offer members a choice in how they receive merchandise.
Will Amazon fund an IoT network?

A potential partnership could help Amazon enter the wireless business — a move that could further streamline its digital services. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Charlie Ergen, CEO of Dish, reportedly may be considering partnering on a potential wireless project. With Amazon’s financial backing, sources said the team could create an Internet of Things (IoT) network, reported the Wall Street Journal.
How generational differences influence path to purchase

Despite plenty of generational differences, there is one thing that shoppers of all ages put a priority on.
Department store retailer takes a swing at Amazon’s shopping event

In the wake of Amazon’s Prime Day hype, J.C. Penney is eager to drive momentum among its own online shoppers. The department store retailer is getting ready to host its own online-only shopping event, “Penney Palooza.” The second annual two-day sale, which is set to run July 11-12, will feature “48 hours of non-stop savings,” according to the retailer.