BLOG POSTS BY THIS AUTHOR
Oct 2021
Oct 22
Don’t be haunted by security threats this Halloween
Retailers must overcome enterprise security risks online, in-store, and in the supply chain.
Oct 15
Drive-thru grocer puts in-store spin on ultrafast fulfillment
A drive-thru grocery chain that fulfills orders within minutes is applying the methodology behind ultrafast delivery to in-store pickup.
Oct 08
Meet the newest retail tech platform contender – Gap Inc.
Gap Inc. appears to be the latest chain following a rapidly-growing retail technology trend.
Oct 01
Bridging the divide between virtual and ‘real-life’ retailing
Retailers are becoming increasingly creative in their efforts to combine the best aspects of digital commerce and brick-and-mortar shopping.
Sep 2021
Sep 24
Robots automate workflows across the retail enterprise
Robotic technology is popping up in every facet of retailing.
Sep 17
Virtual store banners - an emerging omnichannel trend
An online storefront is nothing new, but what if it represents a brick-and-mortar-style store brand?
Sep 10
Three reasons retailers want to become tech platforms
More retailers are attempting to transform themselves into full-fledged technology platforms, with good justification.
Sep 03
Cool retail tech trends from a hot summer
The summer of 2021 featured some intriguing developments in retail technology.
ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR
Oct 2021
Oct 26
Target beefs up same-day fulfillment services for holidays
Target is adding new features to its drive-up, order pickup, and same-day delivery services in time for the holiday season.
Oct 26
Gartner offers three-step plan for supply chain sustainability
Supply chain organizations must take action and become more purpose-driven to successfully navigate challenges to the planet and profit, according to Gartner.
Oct 26
BJ’s plans early Black Friday, new hires
BJ’s holiday plans include starting Black Friday early, shuttering stores Thanksgiving Day and adding new seasonal and permanent employees.
Oct 26
Chipotle to open virtual Halloween store on video game platform
Chipotle Mexican Grill is becoming the first restaurant brand to open a virtual location on the popular Roblox video game platform as part of its Halloween promotion.
Oct 26
Aldi turns to social influencers for new holiday promotion
A leading discount grocer is introducing a “Charcuterie Board of Directors” as part of an omnichannel marketing program.
Oct 26
Walmart expands financial services options in deal with Vanilla Direct
Walmart will let customers pay their bills or fund prepaid accounts with cash in its stores nationwide.
Oct 25
Survey: Holiday shoppers receptive to hearing from retailers
A new survey reveals the types of communication most consumers want to receive from retailers this holiday season.
Oct 25
Macy’s to start Black Friday early, shutter stores on Thanksgiving
Macy’s will start its Black Friday holiday promotion well before Thanksgiving weekend, and is closing stores on Thanksgiving Day.
Oct 25
Amazon reinforces supply chain to meet holiday demand
Amazon is making investments across its supply chain to ensure holiday product availability.
Oct 25
CSA Exclusive: Retailers vulnerable to cybersecurity threats
New survey results released exclusively to Chain Store Age indicate fewer than half of retailers feel confident in their ability to respond to cyberthreats.
Oct 25
Panera Bread commits to climate positive target
Panera Bread intends to become climate positive – removing more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits – by 2050.
Oct 25
Royal Farms rolling out self-checkout chainwide
A privately-owned, mid-Atlantic convenience store chain is equipping all of its 250-plus stores with self-checkout terminals.
Oct 25
Mastercard to allow any retailer on its network to accept bitcoin payment
Mastercard is making a move that could lead to wider usage of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as payment for retail purchases.
Oct 22
Amazon enables same-day fulfillment for partners including Best Buy
Third-party sellers on the Amazon site, including some major chains, can now fulfill online orders for local customers in designated stores.
Oct 22
Amazon beats Walmart in online revenue, lags in online growth
Amazon and Walmart can both claim victories in their increasingly intense competition in the e-commerce realm.
Oct 22
Lovesac scales to $1 billion with optimized core business processes
A modular furniture retailer is basing rapid growth on an integrated business platform.
Oct 22
Survey: Consumers open to marketing tech, have privacy concerns
U.S. consumers’ view of new marketing media and technology has grown more positive since COVID-19 began, but many worry about data collection.
Oct 21
Grocery Outlet debuts online with on-demand delivery
Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. is entering the e-commerce channel for the first time with a new Instacart partnership.
Oct 21
Amazon releases global e-commerce tools for third-party sellers
Amazon is offering third-party sellers on its platform new solutions designed to ease international processes such as customer service and inventory management.
Oct 21
Survey: Amid warnings, holiday shopping started to surge in mid-September
U.S. consumers are acting on warnings of retailers, shippers and supply chain managers to shop early for the holidays.
Oct 21
Study: Supply chain, shipping issues could boost in-store holiday shopping
Consumers are not only shopping earlier than ever this holiday season, they are also altering their shopping behavior.
Oct 21
Walmart extends store delivery hours, adds more options for the holidays
Walmart is extending its delivery time and making more items available for local delivery.
Oct 21
Sephora improves forecasting, replenishment with AI
A global beauty giant is seeking to increase inventory turnover and reduce the risk of obsolescence, while also increasing product availability.
Oct 21
Amazon opens robotics manufacturing facility
Amazon will open a new, first-of-its-kind robotics manufacturing facility in Westborough, Mass.
Oct 21
Walgreens turns health care focus to mental health
Walgreens is expanding mental health first aid training for pharmacists, while its U.K.-based Boots division is launching omnichannel mental health tools.
Oct 20
CSA Exclusive: Amazon offers third-party sellers enterprise support
Amazon is opening its platform to small businesses looking for access to direct-to-consumer sales infrastructure and services.
Oct 20
Lowe’s kicks off holiday promotion; to close stores on Thanksgiving
Lowe’s Cos. Inc. will shutter stores on Thanksgiving Day, but is offering numerous omnichannel services for holiday shoppers.
Oct 20
Peet’s Coffee revamps rewards program
Peet’s Coffee is perking up its Peetnnik Rewards loyalty program with increased flexibility and faster accumulation of points.
Oct 20
Kroger launches private targeted marketing platform
The Kroger Co. is building upon the first-party targeted advertising services it offers CPG brand advertisers.
Oct 20
Adobe: Online holiday sales to set record despite supply chain issues
Online retailers have reason to be merry this holiday season, as Adobe is predicting a 10% year-over-year increase in digital sales.
Oct 20
Pinterest continues e-commerce evolution with AR, Amazon integration
Pinterest is introducing a wide range of new features aimed at increasing the shoppability of its platform.
Oct 19
Amazon: U.S. third-party sellers average over $200,000 in annual sales
Amazon is releasing its 2021 Small Business Empowerment Report, and the metrics look good for its 500,000-plus U.S. third-party selling partners.
Oct 19
Petco turns POS into omnichannel commerce hub
Petco Health and Wellness Company is providing customers a seamless omnichannel experience centered on its POS platform.
Oct 19
CSA Exclusive: Rap star-founded cannabis retailer eyes new stores
Cannabis retailer Dr. Greenthumb is rapidly growing from its origins as the subject of a late 1990s rap song to a national, omnichannel enterprise.
Oct 19
Dollar Tree improves internal supply chain collaboration
A leading discount retailer is enhancing supply chain-related communications between its stores and central planning teams.
Oct 19
Walmart takes on Kroger with next-gen grocery fulfillment center plans
Walmart has announced plans to build its largest grocery distribution center to date.
Oct 19
Instacart acquires ‘smart cart’ provider Caper AI
Instacart is continuing its evolution into a technology platform with the purchase of an artificial intelligence-based shopping cart and checkout platform.
Oct 18
Amazon expands self-driving vehicle test to Seattle
Autonomous vehicles from Amazon’s Zoox subsidiary will soon be traveling the rainy streets of Seattle.
Oct 18
eBay sets ambitious carbon targets
eBay Inc. is committing to almost eliminate its scope 1 and 2 emissions in nine years.
Oct 18
Exclusive Q&A: CVS leverages AI to promote flu shot awareness
CVS is preparing for an anticipated difficult flu season with an artificial intelligence-based, personalized messaging campaign.
Oct 18
The Body Shop offers same-day delivery
The Body Shop is the latest retailer to offer fast delivery.
Oct 18
Podium taps Shopify exec for new COO role
Podium has named an e-commerce technology veteran to serve as its first-ever COO.
Oct 18
Black Friday arrives at Walmart — with perks for subscription program members
Walmart is joining other major retailers that include Amazon and Target in starting its Black Friday promotion well before Thanksgiving.
Oct 18
Survey: Holiday shoppers worried over late deliveries, fraud
Consumers have omnichannel plans this holiday season, but have concerns about their online purchases arriving safely.
Oct 15
Survey: Customers will abandon a poor login experience
Digital retailers need to ensure their online login and authentication processes are quick and easy, as well as secure.
Oct 15
Survey: Gen Z shoppers will turn to Instagram for the holidays
Desirable young consumers will increasingly utilize Instagram and other non-traditional shopping channels during the 2021 holiday season.
Oct 15
Poshmark acquires sneaker authentication platform
Poshmark Inc. has purchased Suede One, a solution using machine learning, computer vision, and human review to virtually authenticate sneakers.
Oct 15
Newegg unveils early Black Friday price match offer, discounts
Newegg Commerce Inc. is the latest retailer to get an extra-early jump on its Black Friday promotions.
Oct 15
Walmart beta tests text-to-shop feature
Walmart customers may soon be able to text their shopping list.
Oct 14
Instacart expands Quebec footprint with Sephora, Staples, H&M
Instacart is expanding its presence in Quebec, including the addition of two major retailers to its platform and a major hiring initiative.
Oct 14
CSA Exclusive: COVID-19 accelerates change in customer expectations
A webinar from RSR Research highlighted how the pandemic has intensified an already significant period of evolution in how retailers serve customers.
Oct 14
Target keeps inventory moving in face of supply chain congestion
As retailers grapple with supply chain problems, Target is confident its proactive investments in fulfillment technology, distribution hubs and 24/7 supply chain operations are paying off as the holiday season approaches.
Oct 14
Study: Consumers follow brands on Pinterest, TikTok
Brands looking for followers should create a presence on Pinterest and TikTok, and “influencers” may not be so influential.
Oct 14
Amazon reportedly in the market for used long-range cargo jets
Amazon is doing some shopping as it looks to deal with port delays and other supply chain issues on its own.
Oct 14
Sephora introduces new same-day delivery, live help services
A beauty giant is expanding its same-day delivery options and reintroducing an online shopping advisory tool.
Oct 14
Amazon opens new Washington air hub, distribution facility
Amazon continues to expand its Amazon Air freight capabilities.
Oct 13
Jack in the Box creates unified omnichannel view of customers
A quick-service hamburger chain is taking the next step in its digital transformation strategy.
Oct 13
Exclusive Q&A: Party City gets sales bump from email marketing with AI
A leading party goods retailer is utilizing artificial intelligence technology to increase the engagement and open rates of customer email campaigns.
Oct 13
Lowe’s launches advertising services network
Lowe’s Cos. Inc. is the latest in a rapidly growing line of retailers creating an omnichannel advertising platform to connect brands with its customers.
Oct 13
99 Cents Only launches two-hour delivery at 300 stores
A leading extreme-value chain is the latest retailer to partner with online delivery platform Instacart.
Oct 13
Uber completes $1.1 billion purchase of Drizly
Uber Technologies has completed an acquisition that will bolster its presence in the on-demand consumer delivery market.
Oct 13
Circle K retrofits store with cashierless checkout
Circle K is now offering an artificial intelligence (AI)-based, fully checkout-free shopping experience in a Tempe, Ariz. store.
Oct 12
Walgreens enhances leadership team with former Starbucks, CVS execs
Walgreens Boots Alliance has made two key executive leadership positions as new CEO Roz Brewer continues to put her stamp on the global chain.
Oct 12
Exclusive Q&A: Flexibility, omnichannel crucial to holiday planning
Rick Maicki has advice for retailers looking to successfully plan their supply chains through the winter holidays and beyond.
Oct 12
Kroger plans Northeast entry with next-gen fulfillment centers
America’s largest grocer is entering a new market and expanding its customer fulfillment centers and rapid online delivery program.
Oct 12
Walmart acts to minimize supply chain disruption for the holidays
Walmart is following a multi-faceted strategy to make sure it meets customer demand for holiday products.
Oct 12
Stop & Shop introduces 30-minute express delivery service
A regional Northeast grocer is the latest retailer to enter the ultrafast delivery space.
Oct 12
Wendy’s to enhance mobile, drive-thru ordering with AI
The Wendy’s Company intends to leverage artificial intelligence and hybrid cloud tools to create new ways customers can order food via touchpoints including drive-thru and mobile device.
Oct 12
Survey: Macy’s, Kohl’s and Nordstrom rated most trustworthy with consumer data
Macy’s topped a list of 12 large, multi-brand retailers in data trustworthiness.
Oct 08
Jamba goes robotic with automated smoothie kiosk
Jamba is expanding its test of a kiosk that automatically dispenses made-on-demand blended smoothies
Oct 08
Exclusive Q&A: The importance of supply chain resilience — and how to achieve it
Supply chain problems are much in the news as global disruptions cast a shadow on the upcoming holiday season.
Oct 08
Survey: Holiday shoppers will provide data – for a deal
Consumers will trade some types of private information for personalized holiday offers, and are starting their shopping earlier than ever.
Oct 08
Sam’s Club joins Amazon, Target with early holiday promotion
Sam’s Club is jump-starting the holiday shopping season with an omnichannel initiative called “Bring the Merry” that includes home wine delivery.
Oct 07
Newegg pilots livestream shopping platform
Newegg Commerce Inc. is testing a mobile app-based, interactive livestream shopping experience.
Oct 07
Exclusive: Cambridge Retail Advisors on beating supply chain issues
Ken Morris managing partner, Cambridge Retail Advisors, says the right technology is critical for overcoming continuing supply chain disruption.
Oct 07
Walmart expands reach of membership program in deal with American Express
American Express is adding a new perk to holders of its premium Platinum card, which has an annual fee of $695.
Oct 07
Instacart to acquire catering software company for grocers
Instacart is taking another step toward becoming a full-fledged technology platform.
Oct 07
Walmart adds new goals to sustainability effort, including 15% plastic reduction
Walmart is embarking on several new initiatives across its supply chain as part of a push to become a more regenerative company.
Oct 07
Amazon plans two new supply chain facilities in Indiana
Amazon will open a robotics fulfillment center and a delivery station in the Hoosier State.
Oct 07
1-800-Flowers.com unveils new corporate gifting platform
1-800-Flowers.com is making it easier for business customers to send gifts to their employees, clients, customers and partners.
Oct 06
Instacart offers advertisers real-time view into performance
Instacart is the latest in a long line of grocery and CPG retail participants to provide advertisers targeted access to its customers.
Oct 06
Macy’s unveils array of holiday digital shopping features
Macy’s is expanding its digital offerings in time for the holiday shopping season.
Oct 06
Walmart to provide same-day delivery — for Home Depot customers
Walmart is kicking off its new delivery business with an impressive first client.
Oct 06
Pinterest expands advertising capabilities
Pinterest continues growing its functionality as an online shopping platform with a set of new promotional features.
Oct 06
Target offers ‘buy now, pay later’ option for holidays and beyond
Target is entering the rapidly-growing “buy now pay later” (BNPL) space with two new partners.
Oct 06
Office Depot speeds up in-store, curbside pickup even more
Office Depot and OfficeMax stores are launching a new in-store and curbside pickup service called “20 Minute Pickup Promise.”
Oct 06
CSA Exclusive: Rock star moves into cannabis retail, NFTs
For Raine Maida, lead singer and founder of alternative rock band Our Lady Peace, the cannabis and NFT retail verticals are natural progressions from the music industry.
Oct 06
Simon malls to offer in-store flex payments
Another major shopping center operator is entering a partnership with a provider of buy now, pay later flexible installment payments.
Oct 05
Hy-Vee rolls out omnichannel POS in convenience stores
A regional Midwest grocery/convenience retailer is streamlining payments, as well as mobile and personalization services, in its convenience locations.
Oct 05
Study: App-based commerce keeps rising as holidays approach
Retail apps are already approaching peak usage levels from the 2020 holiday season.
Oct 05
Giant Eagle ensures uptime, data security for pharmacies
A regional grocer is protecting patient data and meeting compliance requirements at its in-store pharmacy locations.
Oct 05
Guess ensures supplier sustainability, quality control
A vertical fashion brand is obtaining complete visibility across its entire end-to-end supply chain.
Oct 05
CSA Exclusive: Food service retailer adapts to COVID-19 with WiFi
Detroit-based Flood’s Bar and Grille and The Block made necessary changes to its business during the pandemic with WiFi networking and smartphones.
Oct 05
Pacsun to begin accepting bitcoin
A teen apparel brand is the latest retailer to join the cryptocurrency trend.
Oct 04
Amazon kicks off Black Friday – in early October
Black Friday is arriving more than a month early for one retail giant.
Oct 04
Study: Younger consumers driving ‘buy now pay later’ purchases on social media
Consumers have different preferences regarding social media advertising strategies based on their ages.
Oct 04
Survey: Supply chain delays present retail crisis — and opportunity
Retailers aren’t the only ones concerned about — or taking action in response to — ongoing supply chain disruptions.
Oct 04
Gap Inc. acquires artificial intelligence start-up CB4
Gap Inc. is continuing its focus on technology investments.
Oct 04
Exclusive Q&A: Capgemini exec offers steps to help mitigate supply chain issues
Bill Brooks, VP of transportation at Capgemini, North America, recently discussed bottlenecks at California ports and the larger disruptions behind them.
Oct 01
Survey: Online shoppers want to visualize products, aren’t using AR
Fewer than one in three U.S. online consumers has used a virtual try-on/augmented reality feature.
Oct 01
Aldi to pilot frictionless shopping at Netherlands store
Discount grocer Aldi is partnering with computer vision company Trigo Vision Ltd. to test an autonomous shopping experience at an Aldi Nord store in Utrecht, Netherlands.
Oct 01
Exclusive Q&A: SnapBlooms directly connects customers to florists
Online floral delivery platform SnapBlooms says it has a unique business model which is disrupting the industry.
Oct 01
Crocs unveils month-long omnichannel promotion
October is “Croctober” at Crocs, featuring digital and in-store activations designed to increase brand engagement and sales.
Oct 01
Target to hire for 30,000 supply chain roles
Target Corp. is the latest retailer looking to beef up its supply chain ranks.
Oct 01
Google makes images, search results shoppable
Google continues to enable features of its platform for digital commerce.
Sep 2021
Sep 30
Amazon opens delivery station in Las Vegas
Amazon has officially launched its third delivery station in the Las Vegas Valley.
Sep 30
Survey: Holiday shoppers start early, want deals; big-box stores most popular
More than one in five consumers have already begun holiday shopping, with seasonal sales as a major incentive.
Sep 30
Exclusive Q&A: FTD rebrands; partners with Shopify
Matt Powell, CTO of FTD, recently spoke with Chain Store Age about his company’s new complete creative rebranding initiatives.
Sep 30
Survey: Difficulty finding products drives away online shoppers
Nearly three-quarters of surveyed consumers say their reason for abandoning an e-commerce site is difficulty in finding the products they are seeking.
Sep 30
Neiman Marcus says 4.6 million customers affected by security breach
A leading luxury retailer has notified law enforcement that information from over 4 million customers’ online accounts was exposed in a cybersecurity incident.
Sep 30
Uber to open seasonally-themed online store
Uber Technologies Inc. is launching the first official holiday shop on its Uber Eats delivery platform.
Sep 30
Three digital shopping events coming this fall
Consumers will have the chance to participate in three different online retail promotions happening in October and November 2021.
Sep 29
Walmart unveils holiday hiring blitz
Walmart is planning to hire approximately 150,000 new U.S. store associates in time for the 2021 holiday season.
Sep 29
Digital holiday sales will top $1 trillion despite supply chain issues
New data from Salesforce indicates global digital commerce will grow year-over-year during the 2021 holiday season, with rising costs and decreased inventory.
Sep 29
Gap takes action for inclusion, sustainability
Efforts to advance the careers of women and create a more sustainable supply chain are among the highlights of the Gap Inc. 2020 Global Sustainability Report.
Sep 29
Exclusive Q&A: Kroger provides self-service view of digital shelf
Kroger is providing brands with daily data on share of paid impressions, clicks and sales data for search and browse product listing ad campaigns.
Sep 29
Home Depot co-launches new flatbed marketplace
The Home Depot Inc. is partnering with freight technology company Loadsmart to roll out an automated, supply-led flatbed platform.
Sep 29
Target launching holiday ‘Deal Days’ in October; adds new price match feature
Target Corp. is looking to bring in holiday shoppers early with special deals and a new price match offer.
Sep 29
Kenneth Cole moves e-commerce site to hosted cloud platform
A specialty fashion brand is migrating its online store to the cloud-based Nogin commerce-as-a-service platform.
Sep 29
Giant launches ultrafast essentials delivery with Instacart
The Giant Company and Instacart are teaming up to taker on ultrafast delivery specialists with on-demand delivery of online orders in as fast as 30 minutes.
Sep 29
REI taps corporate counsel for new C-level diversity position
REI Co-op is promoting Wilma Wallace into the new role of chief diversity and social impact officer, effective immediately.
Sep 29
Study: Global parcel volume tops 130 billion in 2020
The number of parcels shipped worldwide rose sharply in 2020, with expectations for continuing dramatic growth.
Sep 29
Staples takes in-store online returns, even from other retailers
Staples is partnering with in-person return service Happy Returns by PayPal in more than 1,000 of its retail locations across the U.S.
Sep 28
Albertsons streamlines perishables order management
Albertsons Companies is connecting all suppliers and stakeholders across its perishable goods supply chain.
Sep 28
HomeGoods launches first-ever e-commerce site
A longtime e-commerce holdout is entering the world of digital retail.
Sep 28
Survey: Holiday shopping starts on Amazon; followed by retail sites
When consumers start looking for holiday gifts, they overwhelmingly turn to one source.
Sep 28
Etsy offers shoppers AR-based digital ‘home’ shopping experience
Etsy is introducing The Etsy House, an interactive, augmented reality (AR) environment that allows customers to “walk through” a digital home filled with curated Etsy items.
Sep 28
Mastercard enters the ‘buy now, pay later’ arena
The rapidly growing market for “buy now, pay later” flexible installment payments is gaining a major new entrant.
Sep 28
Exclusive: Online auto parts retailer shifts to personalized marketing
CarParts.com is replacing “batch-and-blast” marketing campaigns with tailored, individualized promotions.
Sep 28
David’s Bridal enters omnichannel floral partnership
The nation's largest bridal retailer is teaming up with a sustainably sourced fresh floral brand.
Sep 28
Amazon’s new Missouri fulfillment center spans 22 football fields
A 1.3 million-sq.-ft. Amazon fulfillment center opened in Republic, Mo. on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021.
Sep 27
Survey: Customers want a digital shopping experience in-store
Although most consumers prefer to do a majority of their shopping online, they can be drawn into the store with leading-edge technology.
Sep 27
CSA Exclusive: Joann exec discusses new store format, omnichannel
Joann is revamping its stores and enhancing its mobile and online customer experience.
Sep 27
Walmart aims to help customers simply their healthcare with single, unified system
Walmart continues to expand its healthcare partnerships.
Sep 27
Amazon Prime members will soon pay fee for all Whole Foods deliveries
Free online deliveries from Whole Foods are coming to an end for members of the Amazon Prime paid loyalty program.
Sep 27
Traeger Grills breaks down data silos with Amazon Web Services
An outdoor cooking equipment brand is streamlining its customer service agents’ access to relevant data with cloud-based Amazon Web Services technology.
Sep 27
Walmart reportedly replaces layaway with buy now, pay later option
Walmart is reportedly expanding an existing partnership with financial products and services company Affirm in lieu of its layaway service.
Sep 27
Rainbow Shops unifies e-commerce data to support 900% growth
A specialty fashion retailer is adapting to explosive growth in its online business by integrating various streams of e-commerce data on a single platform.
Sep 24
Carvana rolls out next-day delivery to two new Missouri markets
An omnichannel platform for buying and selling used cars is adding its sixth and seventh markets in the state of Missouri.
Sep 24
CSA Exclusive: DXL provides AI-based online personalization
The nation’s largest men’s big and tall specialty retailer is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to offer online customers individualized styling and outfitting.
Sep 24
Survey: Delta variant will fuel holiday e-commerce boom
For the second year in a row, the COVID-19 pandemic may drive many holiday shoppers online.
Sep 24
CSA Exclusive: Gap Inc. exec talks about retailer’s supply chain transformation
Gap Inc. is leveraging a variety of automated solutions to ensure its supply chain can meet holiday demand and overcome pandemic-related strains and delays.
Sep 24
Rite Aid expands same-day delivery with Uber Eats
Rite Aid customers have a new option for same-day delivery of online orders.
Sep 23
Amazon expands ‘faster’ same-day delivery in four major cities
Amazon Prime delivery is now available in as little as five hours in more neighborhoods in Chicago, as well as in three entirely new metro areas.
Sep 23
Exclusive Q&A: Francesca’s sees back-to-school as holiday foundation
Francesca’s Holdings Corp. bases success during the holiday season on performance with back-to-school shoppers.
Sep 23
Lovesac brings stores to customers with mobile showrooms
A modular furniture retailer is rolling out a personalized and curated shopping experience directly to customers' homes.
Sep 23
Hy-Vee adopts AI robots to reduce out-of-stocks
A regional Midwest grocer is rolling out autonomous robots that automatically scan tens of thousands of products.
Sep 23
Albertsons partners with Pinterest for shoppable recipes
Albertsons Companies is tapping into Pinterest’s product discovery features to enable shopping by ingredient and recipe.
Sep 23
Claire’s offers themed jewelry subscription boxes
A tween and teen accessories retailer is debuting its first subscription service program.
Sep 23
ShopRite pilots remote-controlled delivery robots
ShopRite will be the first supermarket chain on the East Coast to utilize Tortoise delivery robots.
Sep 22
Stitch Fix offers shoppers curated assortments; passes sales milestone
Stitch Fix Inc. is moving a bit closer to a traditional e-commerce model by enabling customers to buy items directly without first ordering picks from a stylist.
Sep 22
Ultrafast delivery service adds product content to its offering
Buyk, a new ultrafast grocery delivery service, is enabling partner brands and manufacturers to provide customers with verified product content and images.
Sep 22
FedEx competing with Amazon in autonomous cargo delivery
FedEx Corp. will pilot self-driving vehicles for linehaul trucking operations.
Sep 22
Exclusive Q&A: Walgreens digitally streamlines healthcare access
Chain Store Age recently had a conversation with Giovanni Monti, senior VP, healthcare services, Walgreens Boots Alliance, about his company’s varied digital healthcare activities, as well as its brick-and-mortar partnership with VillageMD.
Sep 22
Amazon offers loans up to $100,000 for small sellers
Small-to-medium-sized businesses selling products via Amazon storefronts have new, expanded financing options.
Sep 22
Amazon to offer frictionless shopping, palm-based payment at new arena
The soon-to-open, net-zero carbon-certified arena in Seattle will feature Amazon's leading-edge contactless shopping and payment options.
Sep 22
Albertsons turns video into an e-commerce channel
One of the largest grocers in the U.S. is offering customers shoppable, short-form and livestream video.
Sep 22
Bed Bath & Beyond expands same-day delivery deal with DoorDash
Bed Bath & Beyond continues offering customers more options to receive same-day delivery of online purchases.
Sep 21
Amazon opens first fulfillment center in North Dakota
Amazon is adding to its supply chain infrastructure in the Peace Garden State.
Sep 21
buybuy Baby welcomes new parents with omnichannel initiative
buybuy Baby is expanding resources in stores and online for new parents.
Sep 21
Walmart in new online push for healthy, sustainable products
Walmart is making it easier for customers to find healthy and environmentally friendly items on its website.
Sep 21
Exclusive Q&A: Torrid streamlines communications between HQ, stores
Elizabeth Haynes, senior VP store ops, loss prevention & visual merchandising at Torrid, tells Chain Store Age about the growing company’s mission to remove any friction in communications between headquarters and stores.
Sep 21
ThredUp investing $70 million in new DC that will store up to 10 million items
ThredUp is scaling up to meet its rapid growth with plans to open its largest and most automated distribution center to date.
Sep 21
Neiman Marcus opens shoppable virtual footwear showroom
Neiman Marcus Group is partnering with digital media platform Hypebeast to promote exclusive footwear from 11 luxury brands.
Sep 21
Amazon expands palm-based payment option to more than 60 stores
Amazon is rapidly increasing the availability of its Amazon One contactless payment method.
Sep 20
Survey: Online grocery sales, but not profits, soar
A new survey of online grocery retailers reveals the dramatic increase in digital sales since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic is not necessarily driving profits.
Sep 20
PetSmart opens online pet pharmacy
PetSmart is launching The Pharmacy at PetSmart as a comprehensive online destination for the medical needs of cats, dogs and livestock.
Sep 20
Exclusive: Destination XL repositions around customer experience
The nation’s largest men’s big and tall specialty retailer is focusing on meeting omnichannel demand and personalizing the customer experience.
Sep 20
Hudson’s Bay pioneers online resale of baby gear
The online retail business of Hudson’s Bay Co. is putting a unique twist on the rapidly growing second-hand resale model.
Sep 20
eBay rolls out new Promoted Listings offering
eBay is building upon its Promoted Listings paid advertising service.
Sep 20
DoorDash facilitates beer, wine and spirits delivery
DoorDash is opening the bar across 20 states, Washington, D.C., Canada and Australia.
Sep 17
Carvana enters two new Arkansas metro areas
An omnichannel platform for buying and selling used cars is adding its fourth and fifth markets in the state of Arkansas.
Sep 17
Panasonic acquires Blue Yonder in $7.1 billion blockbuster deal
Panasonic is now the full owner of Blue Yonder.
Sep 17
Survey: Nearly half of consumers will boost holiday spending
Many shoppers intend to spend more money on the holidays in 2021 due to COVID-19’s impact on their 2020 celebrations.
Sep 17
Amazon virtual hiring event draws over 1 million applicants
Amazon’s Career Day 2021 hiring blitz for 40,000 job openings attracted job seekers from more than 170 countries around the world.
Sep 17
CSA Exclusive: Video enables online personalization
Retailers can leverage video content to bridge the gap between in-person and online shopping.
Sep 16
‘Dark store’-based ultrafast delivery service debuts in New York
Buyk is the latest platform offering real-time grocery delivery to New Yorkers.
Sep 16
Survey: Black Friday and Cyber Monday still matter to shoppers
Retailers should pause before downscaling their plans for Black Friday and Cyber Monday holiday sales events.
Sep 16
PetSmart offers ‘buy now pay later’ installment payments
PetSmart has joined the growing ranks of retailers letting customers buy now and pay later.
Sep 16
Ikea debuts 24-hour online festival showcasing homes
A global furniture giant is offering a combination of virtual home tours and live musical performances as part of a daylong promotional event.
Sep 16
Autonomous ‘Express Shop’ pop-up comes to music festivals
Verizon’s mobile edge computing platform is the foundation of temporary “tap and go” stores being offered at musical events including BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival.
Sep 15
Amazon reportedly confirms October beauty event
Amazon’s push into beauty continues with reports of a holiday event.
Sep 15
Walmart partners with Ford for autonomous vehicle delivery pilot
Walmart is continuing to expand its efforts to fulfill online orders with self-driving delivery vehicles.
Sep 15
Canadian tech chain creates single, smart demand forecast
The Source is utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technology to boost sales while cutting inventory.
Sep 15
Rite Aid introduces digital COVID-19 vaccine cards
Rite Aid is offering customers the ability to digitally access and share their proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Sep 15
Survey: Customers want in-store contactless payment
Consumers and retailers agree that contact-free payment is becoming a necessary feature of the brick-and-mortar store experience.
Sep 15
Exclusive Q&A: Kroger sees ‘hybrid shoppers’ as the future of e-commerce
An emerging segment of shoppers who interact with retailers across physical and digital channels requires retailers to rethink their engagement strategies.
Sep 14
Amazon licenses palm-based identification to legendary concert venue
Denver’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre has featured the Grateful Dead, U2, Eagles, Dave Matthews Band…and now Amazon One biometric ticketing.
Sep 14
Kroger, Instacart offer 30-minute delivery of convenience items
Kroger and Instacart are opening an online convenience store with on-demand delivery.
Sep 14
FedEx bolsters Amazon competition with Salesforce partnership
FedEx is integrating two Salesforce cloud solutions into its ShopRunner e-commerce platform.
Sep 14
Amazon extends hiring blitz with 125,000 new openings
Amazon keeps adding to the jobs it is looking to fill.
Sep 14
eBay Motors adds parts and accessories shopping to app
eBay's latest enhancement to its automotive marketplace partially automates the process of finding the right parts and accessories.
Sep 13
J.C. Penney transforms e-commerce with AI
J.C. Penney Co. is deploying smart predictive technology to better understand what assists shoppers in making purchase decisions.
Sep 13
Taco Bell tests mobile subscription plan
If you have a smartphone and love eating tacos, Taco Bell is piloting a new loyalty offering just for you.
Sep 13
Jack in the Box rolling out new digital loyalty program
A quick-service hamburger chain is updating its online ordering interface and mobile app, while adding a digital loyalty program.
Sep 13
Gap Inc. invests over $100 million in supply chain infrastructure
Gap Inc. has expanded its fulfillment capabilities in time to meet increased holiday demand.
Sep 13
CSA Exclusive: Security, innovation, budget lead retail IT challenges
Survey results released exclusively to Chain Store Age reveal four in 10 retailers view data/cyber security as a top IT challenge.
Sep 13
Marketers frequently change digital strategy, struggle with analysis
Digital marketers are responding to the rapid pace of change in the current consumer environment, even as they find their analytical tools less than adequate.
Sep 10
Kroger beats Street with sales, earnings in Q2
The Kroger Co. exceeded analyst expectations for revenue and net earnings in the second quarter of fiscal 2021, and raised full-year guidance.
Sep 10
David’s Bridal to host first-ever warehouse sale; says brides are happier
The nation's largest bridal retailer is holding a major $99 and under sale, and also reporting on bridal customer attitudes as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Sep 10
Despite COVID-19 concerns, holiday spending looks solid
A new survey from Berkeley Research Group (BRG) reveals most consumers will spend the same or more on the holidays this year as in 2020.
Sep 10
Walmart issues $2 billion green bond
Walmart is taking a big step toward financing its sustainability goals.
Sep 10
Carvana doubles down on Nevada with Reno, Carson City rollouts
An omnichannel platform for buying and selling used cars is open for business in two new Nevada markets.
Sep 10
CSA Exclusive: Verizon technology keeps small businesses competitive
Verizon provides solutions and services tailored to the unique challenges of small businesses.
Sep 10
Target honors Latino Heritage Month
Target is ready for the kickoff of the annual Latino Heritage Month on Wednesday, Sep. 15.
Sep 10
Teen apparel retailer debuts gender-neutral brand
Pacsun is launching its first fully dedicated gender-neutral apparel collection, Colour Range.
Sep 10
J.C. Penney reimagines two private apparel brands for fall
The J.C. Penney Co. Inc. is expanding its assortment of items from both private and national apparel brands for the fall 2021 season.
Sep 09
Amazon’s newest business: manufacturing smart TVs
The latest line of Fire smart TV devices from Amazon includes the first TVs the e-tail giant has ever built itself.
Sep 09
Shipt in biggest national expansion in three years
The Shipt same-day delivery platform is adding 1,000 stores and 2 million households to its delivery area.
Sep 09
Amazon to pay full employee tuition as part of $1.2 billion plan
Amazon is following the lead of other big retailers who are adding more benefits and perks to attract workers in today’s tight job market.
Sep 09
Delta variant sparks significant shifts in consumer sentiment, study reveals
Consumers are less comfortable with indoor activities, particularly shopping without a mask, as a result of the spread of the Delta variant.
Sep 09
Petco offers pet owners free virtual training
Petco Health and Wellness Company Inc. is introducing a free virtual training seminar intended to help customers facing new post-pandemic routines.
Sep 09
Chipotle enhances partnership with top influencers
Chipotle Mexican Grill is launching a new program to promote closer branding collaboration with leading creators of social content.
Sep 09
Shopify invests in e-commerce marketing platform Yotpo
Shopify and Yotpo enter multi-year platform partnership.
Sep 08
Amazon opens three new Michigan facilities, plans 4 more
Amazon is significantly increasing its physical fulfillment infrastructure in Michigan.
Sep 08
Walmart grocery customers can shop online via ingredient
Walmart Inc. is collaborating with multi-platform media company Meredith Corp. to turn meal planning into a shoppable e-commerce experience.
Sep 08
Amazon bringing cashierless tech to Whole Foods Market
Two Whole Foods stores will offer the Amazon “Just Walk Out” experience.
Sep 08
Drizly offers personalized concierge service for weddings
Brides and grooms have a new omnichannel option to remove the stress of planning the alcohol menu for their wedding.
Sep 08
Canadian retailers accept contactless payment with Square Register
A number of Canadian retailers are leveraging the Square Register to remove friction from in-store payment.
Sep 07
Survey: Walmart, DoorDash lead in food delivery popularity
Consumers have clear-cut preferences about what platforms they like to use for online grocery and meal delivery.
Sep 07
Exclusive Q&A: Stater Bros. shifts to digital ERP management
The largest privately-owned supermarket chain in Southern California is leveraging SAP cloud technology to transform enterprise operations including supply chain and workforce management.
Sep 07
Meijer introduces online custom cake ordering
A Midwest regional discount chain is letting customers have their cake and eat, too – with digital customization and ordering options.
Sep 07
Report: Quick-service restaurants create delivery-only banners
A number of leading quick-service chains are reportedly launching brands that exclusively serve customers using third-party delivery platforms.
Sep 07
Beautycounter partners with Klarna for livestream series
A specialty clean beauty brand and a global retail bank, payments and shopping service are jointly entering the livestream shopping space.
Sep 07
Yum! Brands completes third AI technology acquisition of 2021
Yum! Brands Inc. has an appetite for artificial intelligence, and is sating its technology hunger with Dragontail Systems Ltd.
Sep 03
Amazon works to restore Brazilian rainforest
Amazon is investing in the Agroforestry and Restoration Accelerator, a new, nature-based carbon removal initiative.
Sep 03
Survey: Back-to-school shoppers are open to messaging
Retailers should include notifications, especially via email, in their back-to-school promotional strategies.
Sep 03
Walmart introduces new agriculture sustainability best practices
Walmart is stepping up its efforts to become a regenerative company with a new focus on how row crops in its supply chain are farmed.
Sep 03
Survey: Amazon will benefit from strong online holiday season
Consumers are increasing their volume of online shopping for the upcoming holidays, and Amazon is the leading destination.
Sep 03
Lowes Foods enhances online delivery capabilities
Lowes Foods is partnering to gain additional fulfillment capabilities for its on-demand delivery offering.
Sep 03
CSA Exclusive: REI provides virtual access to outdoor gear experts
REI is connecting customers with on-demand, digital access to one-on-one product tutorials.
Sep 02
Exclusive Q&A: Create omnichannel customer profiles with AI
Cloud-based artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions enable retailers to obtain a single, unified view of customers for enhanced personalization.
Sep 02
Burger King scales up rewards offering
Burger King customers will have an easier time redeeming “crowns” on purchases made across brick-and-mortar, web, and mobile channels.
Sep 02
Amazon opening delivery stations, career center in Maryland & Virginia
Amazon is expanding its supply chain and operations infrastructure in the states of Maryland and Virginia.
Sep 02
Walgreens, Mastercard partner on new bank account and debit card
Walgreens continues building on its financial services offerings.
Sep 01
Amazon in hiring blitz for 40,000 new corporate, tech employees
Amazon will hold its biggest-ever recruiting event on Sep. 15.
Sep 01
Chipotle adds gamified ‘Extras’ feature to rewards program
Chipotle Mexican Grill is building on the success of its Chipotle Rewards loyalty offering with a new feature that that unlocks access to extra points.
Sep 01
Wayfair extends risk management deployment
A digitally native home furnishings brand is renewing its partnership with risk management solutions provider Riskified.
Sep 01
Walmart brings ghost kitchen concept to U.S. stores
Walmart is expanding its relationship with a Canadian ghost kitchen operator to the United States.
Sep 01
Crocs, J.D. Sports join Afterpay, Snap for AR-based Fashion Week promo
A leading “buy now, pay later platform” is creating an immersive, augmented reality (AR)-based shopping experience with products from Crocs and J.D. Sports, coinciding with New York Fashion Week.