TECHNOLOGY

Helzberg Diamonds is committed to “making people feel loved.”   By adopting a set of multichannel customer experience management solutions, the jeweler is taking the next step to “wowwing” its shoppers with more personalized customer service cross-channel.   

The back-to-school shopping season has barely ended. The east coast is still experiencing a smattering of 90-degree weather. The top trending Halloween costumes haven’t even been confirmed yet. But consumers don't care — for them, preparing their holiday shopping strategies are priority one. Note to retailers: it’s never too soon to follow their lead.  

As more retailers announce their seasonal hiring plans, filling omnichannel-supporting roles will be a priority.  

HSN has become one of the first retailers with a fully functioning augmented reality app for tablets and mobile devices.   HSN has launched an augmented reality design app across two of its home and lifestyle brands in its Cornerstone portfolio: Frontgate and Ballard Designs. The technology, powered by augmented commerce provider Cimagine, allows users to virtually place desired objects in their own homes, and engage with more than 1000 home décor and furnishings.  

Inspired by Pokemon Go!, Bloomingdale’s found a way to run with the idea of scavenger hunts.   The department store retailer ran an in-store scavenger hunt based on Snapchat and geofilters, according to an article in Luxury Daily.  

Amazon on Thursday announced that its Prime Now ultra-fast delivery service has added its first beauty store.    Prime members in Chicago can now order  beauty and personal care products from Merz Apothecary, a 100-years plus Chicago retail institution, and have the items delivered to their door in as little as one hour.  

How do industry observers rate retail social customer care? #EpicFail.   The term social customer care refers to the quick and personalized customer service brands are expected to provide through social media once a customer engages with them to resolve an issue. To date, 92.5% of brands are failing to meet customers' social customer care expectations, according to the “Social Customer Care Report,” from Rational Interaction.  

If you think holograms are a thing of the future, then the future has arrived. Innovative companies are developing solutions that leverage holographic displays to attract and engage distracted customers. Another startup is riding the customization bandwagon to deliver perfectly fitting denim, while still others are offering ways to improve your loyalty program, make in-store checkout as painless as possible, and deliver consumer insights that are fresh — not five months old.