BLOG POSTS BY THIS AUTHOR
Jan 2022
Jan 14
Three Retail Technologies to Watch at NRF 2022
Attendees at the National Retail Federation’s annual convention, known as the “Big Show,” will get a good sense of the direction retail technology will take this year.
Jan 07
2022 – The year of Web 3.0?
Retailers will be active in “Web 3.0” technologies such as metaverse, NFTs, and cryptocurrency in 2022.
Dec 2021
Dec 17
2021 – A year of true omnichannel disruption in retail
2021 was not quite as tumultuous a year as 2020, but there were significant omnichannel developments in the world of retail technology.
Dec 10
Three major healthcare tech trends in retail
Retailers are increasingly crossing into the healthcare provider space, and using technology to do it.
Dec 03
Cyber Week will never be the same
The five-day period between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday remains critical for online holiday sales, but is rapidly evolving.
ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR
Jan 2022
Jan 18
Ulta Beauty automates omnichannel personalization
Ulta Beauty is focusing on creating highly personalized customer experiences – across channels and at scale.
Jan 18
Pacsun digitally transforms contract management
Pacsun is rolling out an enterprise-wide contract lifecycle management solution.
Jan 18
Report: Walmart makes Web 3.0 moves toward NFTs, cryptocurrency
Walmart is reportedly preparing to become a player in the spaces of two “Web 3.0” technologies – non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and cryptocurrency.
Jan 18
Levi’s provides stores with real-time mobile data
A leading denim brand is opening a store-level view into enterprise data with a new proprietary app.
Jan 18
Backcountry supports store expansion with advanced POS system
An omnichannel outdoor gear and apparel retailer is continuing its entry into brick-and-mortar with a mobile-enabled POS solution that enhances in-store customer service.
Jan 14
Survey: Retailers have big plans for same-day delivery
Despite a number of common supply chain issues, retailers are very interested in the potential offered by same-day delivery.
Jan 14
Checkers & Rally’s rolling out automated voice ordering at the drive-thru
In one of the largest rollouts of the technology, a quick-service restaurant chain is applying artificial intelligence to the drive-thru.
Jan 14
Survey: Shoppers seek in-store speed, convenience
Customers in stores prioritize ease of shopping over personal interaction.
Jan 14
Instacart delivers prepared meals from grocers
Instacart is teaming up with select grocery partners to offer customers an alternative to takeout food.
Jan 14
Exclusive Q&A: Decathlon applies RFID across the enterprise
The world’s largest sporting goods retailer is an enthusiastic proponent of supporting front- and back-end operations with RFID technology.
Jan 14
CSA Exclusive: Family Dollar drives revenue, traffic with smart ads
Family Dollar is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to maximize the effectiveness of its ad campaigns.
Jan 14
Specialty Latino grocer moves workforce management to smart platform
One of the largest Latino-owned supermarket chains in California is consolidating all of its legacy workforce management solutions to a single vendor.
Jan 13
Walgreens localizes product search for customers
Walgreens is improving the digital search experience for its customers.
Jan 13
Walmart offering 'smart' outdoor boxes for at home grocery deliveries
Customers who order in-home grocery deliveries from participating Walmart stores can use a secure, connected outdoor receptacle.
Jan 13
Sally Beauty becomes data analytics provider
The largest omnichannel hair color retailer in the U.S. is partnering with a major retail measurement and consumer analytics firm.
Jan 13
Wakefern takes on Amazon with checkout-free stores
The nation’s largest retailer-owned cooperative is piloting an autonomous supermarket format.
Jan 12
Adobe: Online spending sets records for holiday, and for full year 2021
Online holiday sales hit a new record, fueled in part by higher prices on a wide range of goods.
Jan 12
Salesforce: U.S. online holiday sales pass $250 billion in 2021
Salesforce data shows a further acceleration in digital shopping adoption for the 2021 holiday season.
Jan 12
Kroger kicks off ghost kitchen rollout
The Kroger Co. is officially a participant in the ghost kitchen space.
Jan 12
Kroger expands autonomous delivery with new vehicles
The Kroger Co. is growing its digital offerings in Houston with the introduction of next-generation autonomous delivery vehicles.
Jan 12
Carters applies RFID to store-level inventory
The largest branded kids’ apparel/accessories manufacturer in the U.S. is keeping close tabs on the flow of inventory through its stores.
Jan 12
Gap to release first NFT collection
Gap Inc. is globally launching an assortment of collectible non-fungible tokens (NFTs) with a gamified digital experience.
Jan 11
Saks offers limited edition merchandise for sports fans
The Saks luxury e-commerce platform is teaming up with a number of major brands for its new Game Day assortment.
Jan 11
1-800-Flowers.com acquires livestream platform
1-800-Flowers.com is expanding its experiential offerings.
Jan 11
ShopRite unveils pickup pods at New York store
ShopRite is the first grocer on the East Coast to utilize a new automated pickup solution.
Jan 11
J.C. Penney taps Gap, Neiman Marcus tech execs
The J.C. Penney Co. Inc. is supporting ongoing technology innovation efforts with appointments of two retail industry veterans.
Jan 07
The retailers with the best omnichannel customer service are…
The largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world took the top spot in a ranking of retailers with the best omnichannel overall customer service, discovery and purchase.
Jan 07
Survey: New Year’s resolutions offer retailers opportunity
Many consumers plan to spend money to help stay on track with their New Year’s resolutions.
Jan 07
Report: GameStop to launch NFT marketplace
GameStop is reportedly planning to enter the Web 3.0 space with moves into non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and cryptocurrency.
Jan 06
Saks launches online Wellness Shop
The Saks luxury e-commerce platform is taking what it calls a holistic approach to wellbeing.
Jan 06
Rite Aid aims for end-to-end supply chain visibility
Rite Aid Corp. is bringing together space planning, store and distribution center forecasting, and replenishment planning within a single, centralized solution.
Jan 06
Hy-Vee introduces national delivery
A regional Midwest grocery/convenience chain is launching two websites with ship-to-home services available across the country.
Jan 06
Amazon streamlines customer return process
Amazon is trying to make returning purchases as easy as possible.
Jan 06
Best Buy launches new influencer program
The leading U.S. consumer electronics retailer is partnering with a major tech influencer.
Jan 06
Taco Bell offers mobile subscriptions nationwide
If you have a smartphone and love eating tacos, Taco Bell is moving a new subscription program tailored for you out of pilot stage.
Jan 05
Walmart expanding grocery delivery inside customer homes to 30 million homes
Walmart is significantly scaling up its delivery service that allows it to enter a customer’s home or garage to deliver groceries and other purchases or pick up returns.
Jan 05
Cincinnati airport debuts delivery robots
A fully autonomous robot fleet is delivering meals and other items at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (CVG) Airport.
Jan 05
Amazon collaborates with global automaker on smart vehicle technology
Amazon seeks to transform the in-vehicle experience for auto brands including Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep.
Jan 05
Amazon reduces packaging waste with machine learning
Amazon is tackling packaging sustainability at scale with several artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
Jan 05
Ryder expands fast delivery capability with acquisitions
Ryder System Inc. is extending its capability to make U.S. deliveries in two days or less by purchasing an omnichannel fulfillment technology platform and 38 warehouses.
Jan 04
Best Buy joins Walmart, Target with in-house media company
The leading U.S. consumer electronics retailer is taking its targeted advertising activities to a new level.
Jan 04
Survey: Mobile payment apps, cryptocurrency grow in popularity
An increasing number of consumers are using mobile payment apps and owning cryptocurrency.
Jan 04
Spending on social media platforms set to explode
Digital spending will shift to social media during the next three years, fueled largely by two groups of consumers.
Jan 04
Kroger opens fast delivery center in Indiana
The Kroger Co. is extending its flexible, vertically integrated Kroger Delivery network to the Indianapolis market.
Jan 04
L’Oreal introduces new mobile, AI-based haircolor tools
The world’s largest beauty brand is making over how customers and salon stylists can obtain customized haircolor shades.
Dec 2021
Dec 28
CSA Exclusive: MIT partners with brand incubator to improve DTC logistics
The MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics is teaming up with marketplace accelerator Heyday to create a direct-to-consumer inventory management platform.
Dec 28
CSA Exclusive: Six expert predictions for marketing in 2022
Chain Store Age recently spoke with members of Loyalty Innovators to ask their opinions about what they expect the hot marketing trends to be in 2022.
Dec 22
Walgreens reaches out to last-minute holiday shoppers
Down-to-the-wire holiday shoppers will have some options available at Walgreens as late as Dec. 25.
Dec 22
Hy-Vee offers pharmacy customers free talking prescription labels
A regional Midwest grocery/convenience chain is making talking prescription labels available in 26 languages to visually- and print-impaired customers.
Dec 22
Southeastern Grocers introduces on-demand grocery delivery
A regional grocery conglomerate is now delivering online orders in as little as 45 minutes.
Dec 22
CSA Exclusive: Spotlight on Abercrombie & Fitch’s new chief digital, tech officer
Abercrombie & Fitch’s new head of technology is excited for 2022.
Dec 22
Newegg provides flexibility on select digital payments
Newegg Commerce Inc. is making some purchases on its e-commerce site eligible for buy now, pay later (BNPL) installment payments.
Dec 21
Survey: Supply chain issues, COVID-19 affect consumer behavior
Continuing supply chain issues and the COVID-19 pandemic are impacting consumers in how they shop for the holidays, among other areas.
Dec 21
Amazon to expand tech hubs in Austin, Phoenix
Amazon is adding square footage and employees to existing tech hubs in Austin and Phoenix.
Dec 21
Exclusive Q&A: Build-A-Bear adapts digital transformation to pandemic
Build-A-Bear Workshop is reaping the benefits of its digital transformation program as shoppers continue shifting online.
Dec 21
Canadian Tire rolls out smart pickup lockers
Canadian Tire is moving beyond pilot stage with the implementation of smart in-store contactless product retrieval lockers.
Dec 21
Study: Retailers lose ground on supply chain
Retailers’ confidence in their ability to handle supply chain issues has eroded since 2020.
Dec 20
Sheetz adds on-demand delivery; Midwest retailers deliver alcohol
The DoorDash same-day delivery platform is partnering with Sheetz, Meijer, and Hy-Vee.
Dec 20
Office Depot offers free omnichannel services for last-minute shoppers
Office Depot is gearing up for a surge of panicked customers finishing their holiday shopping in the final days before Christmas.
Dec 20
Survey: In-store shoppers want access to customer-created content
Customer reviews, photos and videos aren’t just for the Internet anymore.
Dec 20
CSA Exclusive: Three key supply chain trends for 2022
Innovative solutions and strategies will be crucial to ensuring a bright new year for supply chain operations.
Dec 20
Instacart expands online federal benefit services
Instacart is launching new features for EBT SNAP recipients.
Dec 17
Forever 21 enters metaverse with Roblox store
Forever 21 is the newest retail player on the popular Roblox gaming platform.
Dec 17
Exclusive Q&A: Carrie Tharp, VP, consumer & retail, Google Cloud
There are many steps retailers can still take to ensure a successful holiday season.
Dec 17
Smart & Final names new president; parent company in name change
Smart & Final has promoted a company veteran to one of its top spots.
Dec 17
J.C. Penney launches same-day delivery in time for holidays
The J.C. Penney Co. Inc. is expanding upon its omnichannel fulfillment options.
Dec 17
New high-tech Amazon grocery store has ‘Just Walk Out,’ palm payment
California is getting is 10th Amazon brick-and-mortar grocery store, and its second featuring fully autonomous checkout.
Dec 16
CSA Q&A: Dick’s Sporting Goods cuts theft with surveillance cameras
Faced with shoplifting and other sources of in-store loss, Dick’s Sporting Goods has responded with camera monitoring.
Dec 16
Michaels offers flex payment option for online shoppers
The largest arts and crafts retail chain in North America is entering the burgeoning “buy now pay later” payment space.
Dec 16
Online resale retailer debuting pop-up shop
Mercari, an online marketplace for buying and selling secondhand items, will launch its first-ever experiential pop-up shop in time for the New Year.
Dec 16
Mall of America debuts omnichannel shopping for holidays
Customers can now shop inventory from select retailers within the Mall of America online.
Dec 16
Survey: Holiday shoppers aren’t done yet
A new survey from Klarna reveals that many consumers have not yet even come close to finishing their holiday shopping.
Dec 16
Chipotle opening second digital-only store concept
Chipotle Mexican Grill is launching a new format called “Chipotlane Digital Kitchen” in Ohio.
Dec 16
ThredUp partners with ‘Sex and the City’ reboot designers
Online resale platform ThredUp is teaming with the costume designers of the “Sex and the City” revival “And Just Like That” to raise money for charity.
Dec 16
Pacsun creates ‘single source of truth’ for customer data
A leading teen apparel retailer is building actionable views of profitability and lifetime value of its shoppers.
Dec 16
Study: Stores lose substantial sales to Amazon ‘showroomers’
Many consumers are visiting stores with the result of later buying products they browse on the Amazon e-commerce site.
Dec 16
Carvana debuts next-day online delivery in Maine
An omnichannel platform for buying and selling used cars is debuting in Maine in two metro areas.
Dec 16
Chico’s introduces two-hour delivery – with help from Walmart
Walmart’s white label Go Local delivery service is adding its first fashion retail client.
Dec 16
Kohl’s targets last-minute holiday shoppers with hours, deals
Kohl’s Corp. is offering extended store hours and new special offers through Christmas Eve.
Dec 16
McDonald’s of Greater Atlanta streamlines hiring process
More than 260 McDonald’s stores in the Greater Atlanta metro area are making it easier to capture and analyze applicant information.
Dec 15
Walmart opening new fulfillment center to support online demand
Walmart plans to support its growing e-commerce business in Utah with new infrastructure in Salt Lake City.
Dec 15
Hy-Vee creates digital healthcare subsidiary for uninsured customers
A regional Midwest grocery/convenience chain is the latest retailer to enter the digital healthcare services market.
Dec 15
Forrester: Online holiday sales will near $200 billion in 2021
Forrester projects cooling, but still notable, growth in U.S. online sales for the 2021 holiday season.
Dec 15
Turkish ultrafast delivery company continues Northeast U.S. expansion
An ultra-fast global delivery company that is valued at $7.7 billion is now offering its 10-minute delivery service in three major U.S. metro regions.
Dec 15
Timberland digitally tests concepts with customers
Timberland is offering customers digital product visualization.
Dec 15
Oracle: Consumers want food delivered fast at drive-thru, in-house
Consumers have a generally positive response to digital dining technology, but there are some negative side effects for retailers.
Dec 14
Nike expands ‘metaverse’ presence with virtual platform acquisition
Nike Inc. is planting an early flag on the virtual territory of the still-evolving ‘metaverse’ with a new purchase.
Dec 14
Travel retailer lets customers pay by palm via Amazon technology
Hudson, a Dufry company, is achieving a first in the travel industry.
Dec 14
Walmart invests in Indian agriculture platform to support Flipkart
Walmart is continuing to invest in Indian digital commerce technology, with an eye toward bolstering its Flipkart subsidiary’s fresh produce supply chain.
Dec 14
Kohl’s to add new solar energy installations
Kohl’s Corp. is continuing to develop its renewable energy program.
Dec 14
Amazon invests in two sustainable technology companies
The Amazon Climate Pledge Fund is backing a greenhouse agriculture provider and an emissions-free power system.
Dec 14
Dick’s Sporting Goods launches omnichannel ‘buy now pay later’ payment
Dick’s Sporting Goods is joining an increasingly crowded playing field of retailers enabling customers to divide their payments into four interest-free installments.
Dec 14
Albertsons eases digital shopping with two new offerings
Albertsons Companies Inc. is launching new digital meal planning and automated replenishment services.
Dec 13
True Religion breaks Cyber Week sales record
True Religion had its largest e-commerce volume week ever during Cyber Week.
Dec 13
Media, price affect holiday grocery shoppers
A new survey reveals what types of media are most influential in holiday shoppers’ grocery purchases.
Dec 13
Pacsun introduces same-day delivery in time for holidays
Pacsun is launching same-day delivery in 40 stores across 10 major U.S. markets.
Dec 13
Sally Beauty offers two-hour holiday delivery
Sally Beauty is providing two-hour delivery throughout December as part of its same-day delivery launch.
Dec 13
Survey: Online resale goes mainstream, extends to large items
The online resale market is growing rapidly, and beyond traditional clothing and accessories.
Dec 10
Minor league team debuts baseball’s first autonomous store
The Worcester Red Sox have retrofitted a convenience/memorabilia shop at their home stadium for frictionless shopping.
Dec 10
Survey: Inventory is a major issue for grocery shoppers
Grocery retailers that offer a wide and deep product inventory enjoy a distinct advantage in building customer loyalty.
Dec 10
Survey reveals what restaurant customers want (and don’t want)
Consumers’ restaurant preferences have changed notably from before the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dec 09
Klarna extends desktop flex payment reach with browser extension
Klarna is introducing a tool to streamline digital “buy now, pay later” purchases for desktop shoppers.
Dec 09
Adobe: Apparel drives record year-over-year online inflation growth
While holiday discounts brought online prices down in November 2021 from the previous month, growth from the previous year hit new heights.
Dec 09
Turkish ultrafast delivery platform expands in U.S.
Istanbul-based Getir is bringing its 10-minute delivery service beyond Chicago to another major U.S. metro area.
Dec 09
CVS shifts focus to omnichannel healthcare; raises 2021 guidance
CVS Health plans to introduce new health products, services and technologies as it increases guidance for sales and profits.
Dec 09
Report: Starbucks workers at Buffalo store unionize
Starbucks reportedly now has one U.S. corporate store which is unionized.
Dec 09
Survey: Online holiday shoppers have supply chain concerns
Retailers are not the only ones stressed over ongoing supply chain disruptions this holiday season.
Dec 09
Fuel/convenience retailer to roll out automated checkout
BP is retrofitting select convenience stores across its network to provide checkout-free shopping.
Dec 09
Rent the Runway posts growing loss despite surging sales
Rent the Runway’s first-ever quarterly report as a public company contained a mixed bag of results.
Dec 09
Retail CEOs ask Congress to combat retail counterfeiting and theft
The CEOs of 20 leading retailers have signed a letter from the Retail Industry Leaders Association expressing concern over organized retail crime.
Dec 09
Eddie Bauer sets comprehensive sustainability goals
A direct-to-consumer outdoor brand is establishing new benchmarks to reduce its environmental impact.
Dec 08
The top supply chain challenges are…
Procurement is becoming more important in combating the most common supply chain issues.
Dec 08
Ahold Delhaize USA expands instant essentials delivery
A major grocery conglomerate is offering ultrafast delivery of convenience items across multiple banners.
Dec 08
Walmart launches sustainable supply chain financing program
Walmart is encouraging its suppliers to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with early invoice payments.
Dec 08
Global fitness retailer automates picking with robots
U.K.-based specialty fitness apparel/accessories retailer Gymshark is deploying a robotic picking system at a North American fulfillment center.
Dec 08
Kroger to open another high-tech fulfillment center
The Kroger Co. continues to expand its “customer fulfillment center” footprint.
Dec 08
Ralph Lauren launches holiday-themed Roblox promotion
Ralph Lauren is outfitting avatars on the popular Roblox gaming platform.
Dec 07
Walmart plans new high-tech facility in Tennessee
Walmart is expanding its automated fulfillment center footprint.
Dec 07
Belk brings ‘buy now, pay later’ to stores and e-commerce site
Shoppers at Belk now have the option to divide their payments into four interest-free installments.
Dec 07
The delivery service with the best on-time holiday performance is…
In the face of generally slowing holiday shipments, one major delivery provider is showing significant improvement from 2020.
Dec 07
Regional grocer extends on-demand assortment
Giant Food is launching a new online marketplace called “Ship2Me,” which adds tens of thousands of new items for in-store pickup and online delivery.
Dec 07
Specialty footwear brand enhances store operations with new platform
U.S. footwear brand Johnston & Murphy is enhancing merchandising, workforce management, and customer experience at its corporate stores.
Dec 07
Amazon Web Services outage disrupts Internet
A disruption to the popular Amazon Web Services (AWS) managed cloud platform wreaked havoc with parts of the Internet on Tuesday, Dec. 7.
Dec 07
Uber expands seasonal delivery with ‘holiday hub’
Uber Technologies Inc. is launching what it calls a “one-stop shop” for holiday consumers.
Dec 06
CVS enters digital health partnership with Microsoft
CVS Health is launching a new strategic alliance with a major partner, focused on developing innovative healthcare solutions.
Dec 06
Uber-backed robotic delivery company raises $13 million
Serve Robotics is receiving backing from investors including 7-Eleven Inc.'s corporate venture arm.
Dec 06
Discount Tire boosts digital capabilities with acquisition
A leading retailer of tires and wheels is purchasing an independent tire tester and consumer-direct source for tires, wheels and accessories.
Dec 06
DoorDash launches ultrafast delivery service
DoorDash is leveraging its DashMart online convenience channel to support delivery of grocery and CPG items in 10-15 minutes.
Dec 06
Walmart joins pilot for online WIC payments
Walmart is participating in an online pilot program designed to ease e-commerce transactions for members of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Dec 03
Hot Topic revamps online order approval
Hot Topic Inc. is responding to rapid e-commerce growth by bolstering its authentication process for online orders.
Dec 03
Square changes name to Block
A growing financial payments company is adopting a new corporate identity.
Dec 03
Online grocery adoption grows
Consumer enthusiasm for purchasing groceries online continues climbing.
Dec 03
Amazon CTO makes five technology predictions
The chief technology officer of Amazon is offering predictions for how technology will evolve in five key areas during 2022 and beyond.
Dec 02
Exclusive Q&A: Preparing for post-Black Friday holiday success
Black Friday may have come and gone, but retailers still need to take steps to ensure their supply chains support holiday demand.
Dec 02
Ultrafast delivery platform expands to Boston
Jokr is bringing its 15-minute delivery service beyond the boundaries of New York City.
Dec 02
Blue Apron voice-enables shopping, recipe help
A leading meal kit delivery service is expanding into an emerging shopping channel.
Dec 01
7-Eleven pilots autonomous delivery service in California
7-Eleven is launching the first autonomous commercial delivery in the state of California with a new service available via its delivery app.
Dec 01
Amazon closes in on renewable energy goal
Amazon has launched 18 new utility-scale wind and solar energy projects across the globe as it accelerates its timeframe for using 100% renewable energy.
Dec 01
Airport convenience store launches AI-based automated checkout
Camden Food Express in New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport is enabling contactless shopping.
Dec 01
IDC: Top supply chain predictions for 2022-2026
Digital transformation efforts in the supply chain will accelerate in 2022 and beyond, despite disruption issues.
Dec 01
Exclusive Q&A with Madewell’s Chief Marketing Officer
Madewell is leveraging its Insider targeted loyalty program to help ensure a strong holiday performance.