Dan Berthiaume
Dan Berthiaume’s Retail Insights blog is a 2020 Eddie & Ozzie Awards honorable mention winner in the category of B2B overall column/blog.
BLOG POSTS BY THIS AUTHOR
June 2021
June 18
Three reasons retailers find NFTs nifty
Retailers are discovering tangible value in the digital realm with non-fungible tokens.
June 11
E-commerce is not a game – but games can become e-commerce
Video games are emerging as a mainstream channel for online consumer engagement, and even sales.
June 04
Three retail solutions evolving in unexpected ways
When innovative technology is introduced in the retail environment, sometimes its best use is not the first use.
May 2021
May 28
Ultrafast delivery is gaining momentum
‘On-demand’ delivery is starting to be measured in minutes, rather than hours.
May 21
Why successful retailing is a little like bank robbery
Your customers are where the money is – go to them.
May 14
Three thoughts on current trends in retail tech
Sometimes my mind wanders to what “touchless” retailing really means, among other industry topics.
May 07
Prime Day is next month – three steps to take now
Amazon has all but confirmed Prime Day will take place in June – and it’s not too late to prepare.
ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR
June 2021
June 18
FTD enables digital gifting
A leading specialty floral and gifting retailer is providing shoppers the option to give a new type of present.
June 18
Hy-Vee optimizes transportation management
A regional Midwestern grocer is improving the efficiency and visibility of its logistics network.
June 18
Amazon plans second robotics fulfillment center in Louisiana
Amazon will bring a new operations facility to Baton Rouge.
June 18
Three more big retailers enter Prime Day competition
As Prime Day nears, an increasing number of major retailers are deciding to join in the fray.
June 18
J.C. Penney observes Juneteenth
For the second year, J.C. Penney Co. Inc. is celebrating what is now the federal holiday of Juneteenth across its offices, supply chain facilities, and stores.
June 18
Largest At Home shareholder rejects revised purchase offer
The fight over a proposed sale of At Home Group Inc. to a private equity firm continues.
June 18
Survey: Walmart beats Amazon in two key e-commerce areas
Amazon is the top U.S. e-commerce retailer, but Walmart edges it out in one product category and one part of its value proposition.
June 18
Survey: Women make mixed progress in supply chain roles
While women represent a slightly larger share of the supply chain workforce compared to 2020, they are losing progress in executive roles.
June 17
Exclusive Q&A: Applying the ‘pop-up’ concept to distribution centers
Retailers can alleviate supply chain pressure with “pop-up” distribution centers.
June 17
Stater Bros. upgrades online shopping experience
Stater Bros. Markets is expanding its digital grocery presence to include optimized browsing, a mobile app, and omnichannel fulfillment options.
June 17
Walmart invests in drone provider
Walmart is showing clear confidence in the future of drone delivery.
June 17
Wegmans customer data exposure dated to 2018
Wegmans Food Markets recently notified customers that two databases used for internal business purposes were inadvertently left open for several years.
June 17
Amazon previews Prime Day deals – including some available now
Amazon is getting a head start on select Prime Day discounts and giving advance notice of others.
June 17
Kroger has strong Q1 digital sales; raises earnings guidance
The Kroger Co. started off fiscal 2021 with digital growth as overall sales slipped.
June 17
Amazon wants social media companies to help combat fake reviews
Amazon says it is actively working to prevent fake reviews from being published on its site, but would like more assistance from some powerful entities.
June 17
Staples CEO steps down
The tenure of J. Alexander (Sandy) Douglas as chief executive of office supply retail giant Staples Inc. is coming to an end.
June 17
Batteries Plus doubles North Carolina stores with franchise deal
Batteries Plus is bringing eight new stores to the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina over the next three years.
June 17
Neiman Marcus taps fashion vet for new merchandising role
Neiman Marcus Group is creating the new executive position of fashion and lifestyle director.
June 17
Walmart covers doula expenses for Georgia associates
Walmart is expanding benefits under its medical plan to include coverage for associates in Georgia receiving doula services.
June 17
Amazon commits $150 million to supporting Black-owned businesses
Amazon is launching the Black Business Accelerator in an effort to help Black entrepreneurs develop businesses and act as third-party sellers on the Amazon store.
June 16
On-demand delivery platform Gopuff enables targeted advertising
The rapidly growing trend of letting brands directly target a company’s customer base has reached the on-demand delivery space.
June 16
Neiman Marcus plans to invest more than $500 million in digital tech
Neiman Marcus Group is kicking off a three-year intensive digital investment strategy with the purchase of a machine learning platform.
June 16
At Home amends sale terms
At Home Group Inc. will receive another dollar per share in a restated merger agreement with private equity firm Hellman & Friedman LLC.
June 16
Levi’s curates non-binary styles for Afterpay offering
A leading denim company is among the first brands to sell items in the Afterpay “GenderFree Shop.”
June 16
Instacart takes action with White House to promote vaccination
The federal government is turning to a leading on-demand delivery platform to help reach a COVID-19 vaccination milestone.
June 16
Adobe: Prime Day will pass Cyber Monday sales record
The 2021 version of Amazon Prime Day is expected to top $10.9 billion in total sales.
June 16
LVMH fashions smart personalization strategy with Google Cloud
A global luxury powerhouse is partnering with Google Cloud to develop cloud-based artificial intelligence solutions.
June 16
Walmart provides secure digital record for COVID-19 vaccinations
Walmart is providing a free, secure digital wallet for customers to use and share their health data – starting with COVID-19 vaccine information.
June 16
BigCommerce provides retailers a choice of data analysis tools
A leading e-commerce platform is letting retailers personalize the technology they use to enhance customer personalization.
June 16
Albertsons taps PepsiCo exec as merchandising head
A veteran CPG executive is leaving PepsiCo to join Albertsons Companies as executive VP and chief merchandising officer.
June 16
Amazon commits $300 million to affordable housing
Amazon is funding the creation of 3,000 new affordable homes near public transit in three metro areas.
June 16
Exclusive Q&A: Regional retailer cuts online fraud to under 1%
Specialty apparel chain TYLER’s is addressing online fraud at digital checkout, with impressive results.
June 15
Newest Amazon Fresh store will feature ‘Just Walk Out’
Amazon is expanding its contactless “Just Walk Out” shopping experience from convenience and small-format grocery stores to its full-size grocery banner.
June 15
Instacart expands into new province, language
On-demand delivery platform Instacart is opening up in Quebec, with localized experiences that are fully accessible in French.
June 15
FedEx takes Amazon competition to autonomous delivery
In a move that was probably inevitable, FedEx is launching a three-year pilot of self-driving delivery vehicles.
June 15
Walgreens enters full-fledged delivery partnership with Uber
Walgreens is expanding its collaboration with Uber to offer products directly on the Uber Eats platform to customers across the U.S.
June 15
Giant Food joins in Maryland electric vehicle charging effort
A mid-Atlantic grocer is partnering with state authorities and an electric vehicle charging provider to provide free EV charging across Maryland.
June 15
Study: Father’s Day spending will rise 16%
There should be a lot of glad dads on Fathers’ Day this year, especially those with millennial children.
June 15
Exclusive Q&A: Tyson Cornell, PwC U.S. consumer markets leader
Cloud computing not only provides a competitive advantage for retailers, it is becoming a necessity for operational success.
June 15
Retail sales slip in May but show strong year-over-year growth
Retail sales remained at elevated levels in May 2021, despite month-to-month fluctuations.
June 15
CVS will deliver rewards to loyalty members as they are earned
Members of the CVS Pharmacy ExtraCare Rewards loyalty program will soon no longer have to wait for quarterly earnings payments.
June 15
Rent-to-own retailer gains mobile insight into shoppers
American Rental is enhancing customer engagement and payment with a new mobile communication platform.
June 15
NRF to Biden: Please fix the supply chain
The National Retail Federation is formally asking the Biden administration to address U.S. port congestion challenges.
June 15
Starbucks names exec as new COO
A familiar face will be taking the reins at Starbucks as COO.
June 15
Carrefour opens customer base to personalized marketing
A French retail giant is saying “oui” to providing suppliers with direct, targeted access to its shoppers.
June 14
DoorDash ‘goes to the dogs’ in partnership with PetSmart
A leading specialty pet retailer is further expanding the reach of DoorDash into the pet supply vertical.
June 14
Gen Z-focused e-commerce platform joins livestream party
Verishop intends to draw young shoppers with an app-based livestream shopping offering.
June 14
Report: Zooey Deschanel cofounds healthy living app
A Hollywood actress known for scatterbrained roles is helping give consumers rational motivation to purchase organic and health-focused food and CPG brands.
June 14
Direct-to-consumer window retailer opens e-commerce site
Pella Corp. is letting homeowners in select markets see pricing and purchase replacement windows and patio doors without visiting a brick-and-mortar store.
June 14
Amazon applies artificial intelligence to worker safety
Amazon is testing a variety of robotic and smart technology solutions designed to create a safer workplace.
June 14
Study: ‘Buy-now-pay-later’ usage set to explode
A new study from Juniper Research forecasts a bright future for flexible buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) online payments.
June 14
Survey: Don’t overlook the importance of phone calls
A new survey of 500 U.S. consumers indicates that a good old-fashioned phone conversation goes a long way in making a sale.
June 14
Rite Aid promotes industry veteran to chief retail officer
Andre Persaud is assuming a c-level position at Rite Aid.
June 14
Survey: Americans are ready to spend on some fun
As vaccinations increase, U.S. consumers are preparing themselves to enjoy the upcoming summer.
June 11
CSA Q&A: Verizon Media says brick-and-mortar still vital post-COVID-19
Despite the shift to e-commerce caused by COVID-19, retailers’ post-pandemic strategies should include a prominent focus on physical stores.
June 11
CSA Exclusive: Retailers see tech as crucial to customer experience
In a Rackspace Technology survey exclusively released to Chain Store Age, retailers revealed a customer-centric view of technology.
June 11
Netflix enters direct-to-consumer retailing
Amazon bought a film studio, and now Netflix is opening a full-fledged e-commerce site.
June 11
Kohl’s hopes to wow customers with June sales extravaganza
At least four major retailers are running June sales extravaganzas that directly compete with Amazon Prime Day.
June 10
Carolinas grocer offers busy professionals new online pickup option
Lowes Foods is expanding its omnichannel delivery reach with a new pickup locker option at select locations where customers work.
June 10
Study: Online order volumes drop, but remain above pre-pandemic levels
Despite some fluctuations, overall online order volumes are still considerably higher compared to pre-pandemic levels.
June 10
Survey: Gen Z consumers trust Instagram influencers
Gen Z consumers show particular interest in Instagram when it comes to social media influencer content.
June 10
Shopify: Customer service lets small brands compete with marketplaces
Independent retailers and brands face stiff competition from large online marketplaces, but can leverage personalization and product quality to thrive.
June 09
Exclusive Q&A: Expert Prime Day prep advice for small brands
Prime Day is rapidly approaching, but independent third-party sellers on Amazon Marketplace can still take some steps to help ensure success.
June 09
Kroger brings next-gen fulfillment center to Florida
The Kroger Co. is moving forward with its leading-edge automated warehouse concept known as a customer fulfillment center.
June 09
Walmart offers free virtual courses to the public
Walmart is turning its employee academies into community resources.
June 09
Hot Topic contains supply chain with cloud-based warehouse management
Hot Topic Inc. is managing its wide-ranging product assortment across three retail brands with advanced warehouse management technology.
June 09
NRF: Consumers want omnichannel convenience, social responsibility
Retailers must adapt to a new breed of “citizen shoppers” who desire the flexibility of omnichannel shopping, but also expect retailers to stand for something.
June 09
Amazon gives software engineers a say in filling open roles
It’s a good time to apply for a software engineer job at Amazon.
June 09
Regional grocer localizes omnichannel shopping
Hy-Vee Inc. is partnering with Google Cloud to leverage localized information for an enhanced customer experience that transcends channels.
June 08
Walmart, Amazon go head to head with prescription discount programs
Two retail giants are launching dueling programs designed to remove insurance companies from prescription drug payments, resulting in savings to the consumer.
June 08
Hudson Nonstop opens second Amazon-powered contactless store
Travelers going through Chicago Midway International Airport have a new, streamlined shopping option.
June 08
Albertsons bolsters sales with rewards app partnership
A leading U.S. grocery conglomerate is driving sales from new and existing customers by sending personalized offers via a mobile rewards platform.
June 08
Newegg cracks into Prime Day fray
A tech-focused e-tailer is the latest retail company to mount a challenge to Amazon Prime Day.
June 08
Coming this summer – pay your bills in cash at Walmart
Walmart is teaming up with a payments platform and financial technology company to let customers make cash bill payments at select stores.
June 08
Domino’s says interact with the ‘Noid’ – via NFT
Domino’s Pizza doesn’t want consumers to “avoid the Noid”; it wants them to purchase non-fungible tokens (NFTs) based on his antics.
June 07
How does Jeff Bezos follow up founding Amazon? Going into space
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos may soon be stepping down as CEO, but he isn’t done making bold moves.
June 07
Exclusive Q&A: Homesome seeks to become ‘Shopify for grocers’
A San Jose-based e-commerce platform is providing third-party marketplace services to independent grocery retailers.
June 07
Amazon kicks off Prime Day with early deals
Prime Day doesn’t officially begin for two weeks, but Amazon isn’t waiting to begin offering early-release deals.
June 07
Teen apparel retailer goes where the kids are – digital games
Pacsun is selling clothing items via an online gaming platform that is popular with tweens and teens.
June 07
Pinterest unveils shopping list feature, expands global e-commerce
Pinterest is making it easier for users to save items they want to purchase and rolling out shopping features to four new countries.
June 04
Amazon Prime Day - the numbers say it will be big
Amazon Prime Day is still a few weeks away, but there are already troves of data suggesting consumers plan to enthusiastically participate.
June 04
Staples social media contest thanks top teachers
Staples U.S. Retail is running the third annual “Thank A Teacher” contest on Instagram and Twitter.
June 04
Online grocer Farmstead automates discount product recommendations
A San Francisco-based online grocer is nationally expanding a program called “Refill & Save” that it has been testing in the San Francisco Bay area.
June 04
Study: COVID-19 recovery impacts shopping behavior
As consumers receive vaccinations and enter the “new normal,” everything from how often they visit the store to what products they buy is changing.
June 04
American Eagle spreads omnichannel wings with same-day delivery
American Eagle Outfitters Inc. is offering free same-day delivery through a partnership with a FedEx subsidiary.
June 03
Walmart unveils employee app – to give workers free Samsung phones to use it
Walmart store employees will have sleek new mobile devices to go along with the chain’s new proprietary corporate app.
June 03
Jokr bets on New York City for ultrafast delivery
New Yorkers who want their online orders filled in 15 minutes or less have a new bike-based option.
June 03
‘Buy now, pay later’ comes to BJ’s
BJ’s Wholesale Club is offering flexible financing for digital purchases over $99.
June 03
Lands’ End omnichannel customer experience begins at the warehouse
Lands’ End is unifying distribution and transportation across channels.
June 03
eBay opens platform to 2 million Latin American sellers
eBay is partnering with a Latin American e-commerce services hub to streamline the sale of products and services from the region.
June 03
Regional convenience chain streamlines labor and task management
Maverik — Adventure’s First Stop, is replacing two disparate task and workforce management solutions with a single platform.
June 03
Facebook, Instagram ‘make it with pride’ in June
Facebook and Instagram are offering LGBTQ-friendly products, events and resources in honor of Pride Month.
June 02
Target primes itself for ‘Deal Days’ sales extravaganza
Target is launching a major online promotion that starts one day earlier than Amazon Prime Day.
June 02
Luxury watch brand decides it’s time for personalization
Vertical watch retailer Movado Group is deploying Salesforce technology to personalize the shopping experience – in-store and online.
June 02
Walmart to take on Amazon with ‘Deals for Days’ promotion
The question was never if, but when, Walmart would announce its own June sales extravaganza in the wake of Amazon and Target’s scheduled events.
June 02
Walmart extends Angus beef supply chain from farm to shelf
Walmart is powering up its proprietary, end-to-end Angus beef supply chain program with the launch of a new product line.
June 02
Amazon ranked as No. 1 investor in America
Amazon is receiving credit for its progressive approach to domestic investment as it takes a forward-looking view of employees’ personal cannabis use.
June 02
It’s official – Prime Day is coming June 21-22
Amazon has confirmed the timing of its annual two-day Prime Day sales extravaganza.
June 02
L’Oreal subsidiary adapts online marketplace model for salon pros
The world’s largest beauty brand will launch one of the salon industry's first digital marketplaces dedicated to professional beauty products.
June 02
eBay extends authentication service to luxury handbags
Buyers and sellers of select high-end handbags on eBay can rest easy they are not dealing in counterfeit merchandise.
June 01
Puff Daddy, Salesforce team up to promote Black-owned brands
A rap mogul is helping launch a new curated digital marketplace dedicated to products created and sold by Black entrepreneurs.
June 01
Amazon, Giant Food celebrate Pride Month with digital offerings
An e-tail titan and a mid-Atlantic grocer are both offering dedicated, LGBTQ-friendly online shopping experiences.
June 01
Amazon dedicates facility to storing emergency supplies
Amazon is opening its first-ever Disaster Relief Hub in an effort to more quickly aid natural disaster response.
June 01
BOPIS sprouts at fastest-growing U.S. cannabis retailer
GrowGeneration Corp. is revamping its e-commerce platform to include omnichannel shopping.
June 01
7-Eleven expanding electric vehicle charging, wind power
The world’s largest convenience retailer is substantially adding to the charging stations it offers for electric vehicles, as well stores powered by wind and other renewable sources.
June 01
All inventory (and ads) are local with new Google ad capabilities
Google is making it easier for retailers to reach consumers who want what they are selling – and are in the neighborhood.
May 2021
May 28
Survey: Fast-food customers want digital services
Restaurant and convenience store retailers offering fast-food products should focus on the quality of their e-commerce sites and apps.
May 28
Report: Amazon will hold Prime Day June 21-22
The 2021 edition of Amazon Prime Day will reportedly coincide with the beginning of summer.
May 28
New York grocer streamlines digital ordering with online storefront
Westside Market NYC is handling surging rates of online shopping with a storefront on the Homesome platform.
May 28
Exclusive Q&A: How Kroger enhances store experience — with music
Kroger is providing customized music and information to its brick-and-mortar shoppers via location-based audio out-of-home advertising.
May 28
Amazon backs postal service reform
Amazon is publicly calling for legislation to revitalize its “first and oldest” business partner.
May 28
Indy 500 attendees can shop and go at autonomous pop-up
A computer vision-enabled “NanoStore” is speeding up the process of purchasing snacks, beverages and merchandise at this year’s Indianapolis 500 auto race.
May 27
CSA Exclusive: Q&A with Amazon Web Services global head of retail
CSA recently spoke with Tom Litchford, global head of retail at Amazon Web Services, about steps retailers should be taking now to ensure they thrive in the post-pandemic “new normal.”
May 27
Yum! Brands continues devouring AI companies
The latest artificial intelligence (AI) technology acquisition for Yum! Brands is a provider of food prep and delivery solutions.
May 27
Instacart cuts grocery delivery to 30 minutes in select locations
A new “Priority Delivery” option from Instacart aims to bring the in-store express lane shopping experience online.
May 27
Survey: Younger consumers to lead charge in increased spending this summer
The retail industry is set for an optimistic few months, with U.S. consumers — both those vaccinated and not – set to increase spending this summer across key product categories.
May 27
Kenneth Cole shows LGBTQ pride with unique mobile promotion
A specialty fashion brand is debuting a new apparel, footwear and accessories collection within a popular mobile game.
May 27
Sheetz breaks new ground with bitcoin payment
Sheetz will soon become the first convenience store retailer to accept payments via bitcoin.
May 27
Walmart Marketplace offers new two-day delivery option
Sellers on the Walmart Marketplace third-party e-commerce platform can analyze, track and fulfill orders with a cloud-based logistics solution.
May 27
Amazon plans second Amazon Fresh store in greater D.C.
As Amazon opens its first East Coast Amazon Fresh brick-and-mortar grocery store, the omnichannel giant is already hiring for its second.
May 27
Shopify will provide Shop Pay for Google checkout
Shopify is building upon its new partnership and continuing to expand the availability of its Shop Pay secure online payment solution.
May 26
Walmart rolls out digital tire shopping service
Walmart is putting online customers in the driver’s seat when it comes to finding and buying tires.
May 26
Bed Bath & Beyond spreads same-day delivery with DoorDash
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. is expanding the availability of same-day delivery services to 3,000 new ZIP codes across the U.S.
May 26
REI opens in-house content studio
REI Co-op is greatly expanding its ability to develop and produce promotional and educational content.
May 26
Hy-Vee enables targeted promotions of customer base
A regional Midwest grocer is the latest retailer to provide its suppliers with direct access to its shoppers.
May 26
Online flower delivery blooms at Albertsons
A leading grocer is making inroads into the floral and wedding retail niches.
May 26
Circle K gives beverage subscription program a whirl
Customers can have a drink a day on Circle K – for a monthly fee and a limited time.
May 26
Omnichannel flexibility, sustainability lead logistics priorities
Logistics executives plan to invest in technologies that provide convenient, efficient and sustainable order fulfillment.
May 25
Consumers share brand experiences – so make yours positive!
A new survey indicates consumers will almost always take action after engaging with a brand, whether the experience is good or bad.
May 25
BP streamlines store systems management
A global fuel retailer is reducing the operational complexity associated with managing thousands of retail sites.
May 25
Outdoor gear brand packs detail into product images with AR
Mystery Ranch is enhancing its direct-to-consumer e-commerce efforts with 3-D augmented reality technology from Vertebrae.
May 25
Exclusive Q&A: eBay Stores create deeper customer connections
CSA interviewed Tom Pinckney, VP stores, eBay about how the e-commerce giant is assisting sellers in providing buyers with a more engaging shopping experience via the eBay Stores offering.
May 25
Washington, D.C. attorney general sues Amazon, alleging price manipulation
The attorney general of Washington, D.C., Karl A. Racine, is accusing Amazon of anticompetitive practices in a new lawsuit.
May 25
Lamps Plus plugs into ‘buy now, pay later’
A Los Angeles-based specialty lighting retailer is offering flexible, interest-free payments to online shoppers.
May 24
Ten-minute grocery delivery coming to New York City – by bike
A bike-based European fast delivery startup will debut U.S. operations in Brooklyn, N.Y., on May 30.
May 24
Decathlon Canada includes warehouse robots in holiday prep
The Canadian division of the world’s largest sporting goods retailer will tackle the holiday rush with smart robots in its supply chain.
May 24
ShopRite parent puts customer at center of merchandising
The nation’s largest retailer-owned cooperative is ensuring its merchandising decisions enhance the customer experience.
May 24
Study: Prime Day will draw back-to-school shoppers
June is typically a slow time for retail, but Prime Day 2021 is expected to jump-start back-to-school sales.
May 24
Herman Miller builds new e-commerce site around customer needs
A design-driven office and home furniture brand is refreshing its online retail experience to better meet customer needs.
May 24
Samsonite strengthens insight into customers, site performance
Luggage retailer Samsonite is obtaining a fuller view into the omnichannel customer journey, as well as into any e-commerce glitches.
May 21
Walmart joins Pioneer Woman and Facebook for livestream event
Walmart’s latest livestream shopping initiative involves a lifestyle influencer and a social media giant.
May 21
Study: Consumers want digital payment
The e-commerce surge which accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic has created growing consumer preference for digital payment methods.
May 21
LG Electronics partners with Instagram for livestream event
A major home electronics brand is joining the trends of livestream retailing and social influencers.
May 21
Snapchat introduces virtual shopping tools
Smart camera company Snap Inc. is rolling out new AR capabilities to streamline social commerce on its Snapchat visual platform.
May 21
7-Eleven expands Instacart delivery availability
Consumers can now place orders for online delivery via Instacart at nearly 6,000 7-Eleven stores across the U.S.
May 21
Amazon shutting down Prime Now delivery app
Amazon’s super-speedy Prime Now delivery service is getting a new digital home at Amazon.
May 21
Specialty jewelry brand reaches for fulfillment success in the cloud
Jaxxon is scaling its online fulfillment operations to serve customers in over 150 countries.
May 20
Amazon adds mental health to employee health services
Amazon is launching a new employee mental health benefit that is accessible in-person or digitally.
May 20
Shopify joins eBay in enabling NFT sales
A second e-commerce marketplace is allowing the purchase and sale of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), via a new partnership.
May 20
Aeropostale parent offers ‘buy now, pay later’ at four banners
Shoppers at several well-known retail brands can now make flexible online payments in four interest-free installments.
May 20
Walmart goes live with in-store Western Union money transfers
Walmart is expanding its financial services portfolio with the official launch of a new partnership with Western Union.
May 19
Amazon expands high-tech grocery format to East Coast
Amazon is hoping for good luck with its soon-to-open 13th Amazon Fresh brick-and-mortar grocery store.
May 19
Peet’s offers online coffee subscription – with a sustainable twist
An omnichannel coffee retailer is enabling customers to offset their carbon footprint with their next cup of Joe.
May 19
Chipotle to offer employees custom mental health platform
Chipotle Mexican Grill will soon introduce a digital, gamified service aimed at improving mental health among its employees.
May 19
Exclusive: ‘Buy now pay later’ comes to leading social platforms
Retailers can now advertise and accept customizable payment options on four major social media networks.
May 19
Amazon invests in electric vertical aircraft start-up
Amazon’s latest climate-friendly investment is in a builder of electric vertical aircraft.
May 18
Quick-service chains move visits with mobile marketing
The Famous Dave’s and Granite City Food & Brewery quick-service restaurant banners are bringing in customers and dollars via text messaging.
May 18
Google partners with Shopify in expansion of online shopping
An expanded partnership with Shopify and linked loyalty accounts are just some of the new e-commerce features Google is rolling out.
May 18
As seen on TV – targeted ads for Walgreens customers
Walgreens is further opening its customer base to targeted ads from suppliers, beyond digital and programmatic into TV.
May 18
Online grocery sales continue soaring year-over-year in April
Although the U.S. online grocery market contracted month-over-month in April 2021, it still showed significant growth from the prior year.
May 18
Facebook to launch live shopping on its platform
Facebook is expanding its “Live Shopping” offering with a new promotion scheduled for Fridays this summer.
May 18
Florida grocer optimizes merchandising with AI
America’s largest independently-owned Hispanic supermarket chain is applying automation and AI to a broad range of merchandising workflows.
May 17
Amazon, Albertsons among Anycart grocery platform partners
A number of major grocers are making their products available on a new multi-retailer e-commerce engine.
May 17
Amazon rolling out new program to reduce employees work injuries
Amazon is making a major push into employee wellness with a comprehensive physical and mental health initiative.
May 17
The Container Store will unpack flexible spending
A leading specialty retailer of storage and organization products is joining the “buy now, pay later” trend.
May 17
Camp stakes out online retail space just for kids
A family-oriented retailer focused on immersive customer experience is launching what it calls the first e-commerce platform where kids can safely shop online.
May 17
J.Crew looks to revive men’s brand with hiring of ‘singular talent’ in fashion
J.Crew Group has hired a streetwear design vet to breathe new energy into its menswear division.
May 17
Walmart turns on TV shopping partnership with So Yummy
Walmart is directly selling select food products on a popular food-focused television channel.
May 17
Exclusive Q&A: Having a conversation with customers – via AI
Chain Store Age recently spoke with Dakshi Agrawal, IBM fellow and chief architect for AI, IBM, about how “conversational AI” is changing the way retailers engage customers.
May 14
eBay says OK to NFT sales
The newest category of collectible for sale on eBay does not require shipping.
May 14
Carvana accelerates growth in Texas, Louisiana
An omnichannel platform for buying and selling used cars is entering one new market in Texas and two new markets in Louisiana.
May 14
Specialty fashion brand launches one-click checkout
Badgley Mischka is unifying its customer’s store and payment accounts as it streamlines online purchasing.
May 14
Casey’s completes 94-store acquisition
Casey’s General Stores has expanded its Midwest footprint.
May 14
Salesforce: E-commerce will stay elevated post-pandemic
Consumers plan to make fewer online purchases once COVID-19 has passed, but will still buy online more than they did before the pandemic.
May 14
Petco shoppers receive targeted digital ads
Petco Health and Wellness Co. is enabling its vendors to sponsor products and display ads across its desktop and mobile commerce platforms.
May 13
Winn-Dixie parent gamifies rewards personalization
Southeastern Grocers Inc. is expanding its targeted marketing initiative with personalized offers delivered in a game-like challenge.
May 13
Verizon: Stolen credentials are a retail hacker’s best friend
Stolen credentials play a major role in retail data breaches, according to the 2021 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report.
May 13
Starbucks enters ambitious solar partnership in New York
Starbucks Coffee Company is moving forward with its pledge to become “resource-positive” by launching a multi-year solar program in New York State.
May 13
Survey: Brick-and-mortar grocery shoppers prefer Walmart
One area where Walmart is far ahead of Amazon is its popularity as a brick-and-mortar destination for grocery purchases.
May 13
FedEx adds training for small retailers in new competition with Amazon
FedEx is rolling out the FedEx E-Commerce Learning Lab, an educational resource for small retailers not unlike existing offerings from Amazon.
May 13
PayPal to buy Happy Returns, which helps shoppers return online purchases
PayPal is expanding its digital commerce focus beyond payments to the post-purchase experience.
May 13
Walmart adds virtual fitting room amid growing fashion push
Walmart is extending its push into fashion as it looks to enhance the customer shopping experience of buying clothes online.
May 12
Grubhub provides small restaurants custom e-commerce features
Independent restaurants that partner with Grubhub have access to new commission-free digital design and marketing services.
May 12
Vera Bradley designs resale program
A specialty women’s apparel and accessories brand is the latest retailer to enter the fast-growing market for secondhand goods.
May 12
Survey: Digital fraud grows along with e-commerce
Shoppers are not the only ones doing more business online since the outbreak of COVID-19.
May 12
Survey: Shoppers expect omnichannel services
Retailers who introduced features like curbside pickup during the COVID-19 pandemic should plan to keep them long-term.
May 11
Under Armour to add Middle East e-commerce channel
A global athletic apparel brand is launching omnichannel operations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
May 11
Motorcycle parts platform revs up customer communications
Comoto Holdings is adding several new interactive features to its omnichannel customer service offering.
May 11
Live from YouTube – it’s David’s Bridal
The nation’s leading bridal retailer is joining with YouTube in a new life as a live streaming content promoter.
May 11
COVID-19 dampens retail theft losses, not criminal greed
Even as temporary store closures due to the pandemic cut down on total retail theft incidents and losses, thieves stole more per incident.
May 11
Amazon enables online price comparison for medications
Amazon Prime members can now easily check whether Amazon Pharmacy or a local drugstore has the best price for a prescription order.
May 11
7-Eleven Japan creates convenient data access with Google Cloud
The world’s largest convenience retailer is advancing digital transformation in Japan with a new data analysis platform built on Google Cloud.
May 11
CVS adds free same-day Rx delivery to loyalty benefits
CVS Pharmacy is expanding upon a partnership with Shipt to streamline prescription delivery for members of its paid CarePass program.
May 11
Amazon issues $1 billion sustainability bond
Amazon is backing up its environmental initiatives with a new $1 billion bond focused on funding projects in five key sustainability areas.
May 11
Marks & Spencer fulfills smart demand planning upgrade
A British retail giant is obtaining a more accurate view into demand with artificial intelligence.
May 11
Rite Aid obtains further assistance in same-day delivery
Rite Aid is adding DoorDash as an on-demand delivery partner for non-prescription health, convenience, and wellness essentials.
May 10
Southwest c-store retailer plans touchless checkout – minus barcodes
Delek U.S. Holdings is bringing computer vision-based self-checkout technology to select convenience stores this summer.
May 10
Amazon invested more than $700 million in brand protection in 2020
Amazon is using artificial and human intelligence to spot and prevent product counterfeiting.
May 10
Live from New York – it’s Amazon palm-based payment
Amazon has introduced its newest contactless payment method to shoppers in America’s most populated city.
May 10
Survey: Consumers will stay online as pandemic eases
Most consumers will maintain or increase their online usage even as in-person shopping resumes, but won’t be patient about it.
May 10
Urban Outfitters to digitally grow Mideast presence
Urban Outfitters is building on the success of its brick-and-mortar store in the United Arab Emirates.
May 10
Amazon plans new supply chain facility in Louisiana
Amazon is opening its first robotics fulfillment center in the state of Louisiana.
May 07
Online delivery platform Gopuff expands into U.K.
Gopuff is acquiring U.K.-based last-mile delivery startup Fancy.
May 07
Exclusive Q&A: Brick-and-mortar future looks bright, but different
Brick-and-mortar retailers who make the necessary adjustments across their omnichannel enterprise can thrive post-pandemic.
May 07
Holiday e-tailer manages seasonal pricing with AI
Balsam Brands generates 80% of its revenue in the fourth quarter, creating unique price challenges.
May 07
Carvana debuts in Northwest, rolls on in South
An omnichannel platform for buying and selling used cars is opening its first markets in three states and expanding in a fourth.
May 06
GNC keeps online customer service fit during pandemic
GNC Holdings Inc. is ensuring a positive end-to-end e-commerce experience, even as online demand surges due to COVID-19.
May 06
1-800-Flowers cultivates cloud transformation
1-800-Flowers has migrated its enterprise operations to a microservices model based on the Google Cloud platform.
May 06
Walmart recruits ‘Waffles + Mochi’ for interactive promotion
Walmart is partnering with a non-profit and a kids’ TV show to inspire healthier eating for families.
May 06
Things Remembered stops online ‘hijacking’ to increase conversion
A leading retailer of personalized gifts is preventing its online customers from being lured away to competitors’ sites.
May 06
CSA Exclusive: Perch gives small brands a big digital chance
A Boston-based CPG branding platform is looking for small companies with potential for widescale success on Amazon and other e-commerce marketplaces.
May 06
The Container Store arranges delivery via Instacart
A leading specialty retailer of storage and organization products is enabling online delivery in as little as an hour.
May 06
Groupon upgrades user experience for personalization, purchases
An online deals platform seeks to provide a more personalized customer experience that builds inventory awareness and drives engagement.
May 05
Walmart puts premium on warehouse safety with wearable tech
Walmart is putting a spotlight on employee safety with a wearable technology program it is implementing in its distribution centers.
May 05
Newegg opens online automotive storefront
A tech-focused e-tailer keeps driving its product assortment down new paths.
May 05
Report: Circle K offers a drink a day – for a monthly fee
Convenience retailer Circle K is reportedly rolling out a new beverage subscription offering called “Sip & Save.”
May 05
Boscov’s seeks unified digital customer experience
The nation’s largest family-owned department store chain is preparing to migrate its e-commerce site to the Kibo platform.
May 05
Bed Bath & Beyond targets sustainability, inclusivity
Bed Bath & Beyond is unveiling its first-ever comprehensive environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy, including a new VP of ESG role.
May 05
E-commerce platforms enable direct-to-consumer alcohol sales
BigCommerce and Square are both launching programs to facilitate online wine and liquor transactions, including delivery.
May 04
Shoppers can ‘pay in 4’ across all Macy’s brands
Macy’s is providing customers of all its retailer banners the ability to pay in four equal, interest-free installments at online and in-store checkout.
May 04
Checkout-free store coming to San Diego luxury community
The Vantage Pointe luxury high-rise community in San Diego will soon have 24/7-access to automated shopping.
May 04
Study: Digital commerce spending will pass $11 trillion in 2021
Global digital commerce spending is set to rise 11.5% year-over-year.
May 04
Wakefern opens consumer app to sponsored ads
The nation’s largest retailer-owned cooperative is going a step forward with its integration of sponsored digital CPG advertisements.
May 04
Walgreens now delivers 24,000 items in under two hours
Walgreens is expanding the assortment offered in its same-day delivery program.
May 04
Uber Eats to expand assortment with Gopuff partnership
Uber Technologies is collaborating with on-demand delivery platform Gopuff to provide Uber Eats customers with everyday essentials.
May 03
Fleet Farm seeks yield from mobile, rewards offerings
A Midwest retailer that offers a little bit of everything is adding a new mobile app and a loyalty program to its mix.
May 03
Survey: Bad customer service is terrible for retention
Retailers who provide bad customer service may find themselves constantly paying the high price of acquiring new shoppers.
May 03
Safeway, Target tell shoppers ‘let’s make a deal’ with Google Pay
Google Pay users can now locate grocery deals from Safeway and Target without having to leave the app.
May 03
Kroger enters Walmart, Amazon airspace with drone pilot
Kroger is preparing to offer grocery delivery via autonomous drones, with a targeted twist.
May 03
CSA Exclusive: Utah grocer offers one-click online checkout
Independent grocery retailer Macey’s is streamlining the online purchase process while customizing seasonal promotions.
May 03
Verizon sells media business, including Yahoo, in blockbuster deal
Verizon is exiting the digital shopping platform space.