TECHNOLOGY

Fast-food giant turns to Snapchat to attract millennial job seekers
McDonald’s is leveraging a hot app to encourage teens to join its workforce. The fast food giant is embarking on an aggressive summer hiring spree that aims to employ 250,000 restaurant employees across more than 14,000 restaurants operating in the United States. Eager to get the attention of millennials — its sweet spot — McDonald’s is taking a new approach.
Target and Cartwheel apps to merge
Target upping its mobile game. In a move that will eliminate customer confusion over the retailer's two separate apps, the discounter will move its Cartwheel savings app into the main Target app. The integration will happen this summer.

Ikea expands breadth through third-party sales

Ikea is getting in on the online marketplace game. The home furnishings giant is embarking on a test that will focus on selling its products on websites other than its own. This move will get merchandise in front of more online customers, according to Reuters.
Study: The most popular store credit card is...

A retailer that does nearly all of its transactions online has the most popular store credit card. Amazon wins the store card battle, ranking as the top choice among consumers with store cards (32%), followed closely by Target (30%) and then Macy’s (24%).
Analyst: Across the board adoption of Amazon Prime not imminent

Approximately 80% of low-income households will not opt for Amazon's new discounted Prime program. That's according to a broadlines and hardlines retail report by Gordon Haskett Research Advisors analyst Chuck Grom, which looks at Amazon, Walmart, Dollar General and Dollar Tree as Amazon announced discounted Prime membership for those on federal assistance. Here are excerpts from Grom's report:
Report: Online sales alter trade and brand marketing

As retail sales shift from offline to e-commerce, marketers must learn to adjust trade strategies and budgets to be successful in a digital world.
Regional supermarket chain steps up promotional game

Weis Markets knows the key to driving loyalty is to deliver value. In a move that will improve its marketing and promotions operations, the regional grocer has partnered with dunnhumby and Aptaris. By integrating an enterprise promotional planning, price optimization, modeling and forecasting system, Weis is one step closer to increasing sales, improving customer loyalty and building a more profitable and competitive market position.
Beauty retailer steps up augmented reality offering

Sephora is upgrading its app-based digital makeover experience. The beauty chain is expanding the functionality of its Sephora Virtual Artist, an augmented reality-based feature on its mobile app that enables shoppers to digitally try on make-up. The app’s new Cheek Try On service allows users to virtually try on over 1,000 shades of cheek color, including blush, bronzer, contour, and highlighter shades available in single colors and palettes.
UPS: International online shopping is on the rise

More U.S. online shoppers are buying items from international retailers. To compete against these lower prices, U.S brands to step up personalization efforts.
The top emerging global retail markets are....

India tops an annual list of the 30 top developing countries for retail investment, pushing China, which took the No. 1 spot for the past several years, into second place.