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Shoppers age 14-19, known as “Gen Z,” are not as hard to reach as some retailers think.  

As consumers continue shifting to mobile-only shopping experiences this summer, retailers have a greater need than ever for an e-commerce platform that delivers responsive, consistent experiences across any given device or channel.

Sephora is adding a new false lash virtual try-on to its Virtual Artist app, as well as a new way to teach beauty with step-by-step virtual tutorials using augmented reality technology.   The launch is the latest in a series of digital enhancements powered by the Sephora Innovation Lab to customize the retailer's expanding beauty experiences.  

Today, when it comes to adding new members to your board of directors, creating a balance between industry experience and innovation is extraordinarily important. Filling board seats with industry veterans and compliance experts may feel comfortable in the short term, but to adapt to today’s savvy and demanding consumer, companies must be more forward thinking.

We’ve all witnessed the recent evolution of the C-suite — companies bringing in new, young talent, often from other industries, to modernize a brand, enhance the store experience or to leverage technology.

Enough of the “retail is dying” narrative that has dominated so many headlines the past few months. It’s way overplayed.

Brick-and-mortar is evolving, not dying. And it’s full of exciting new players — many of them digitally native — that are infusing the industry with something it can always use: new blood. Here’s a quick rundown of some of these newcomers to the physical space:

Pinterest is making it easier for consumers to shop and buy on its site.    The company, which claims 100 million monthly users, on Tuesday unveiled a collection of new tools, called “Shopping with Pinterest,” that includes visual search technology that lets people search for similar items shown featured in a pin (post).   

Determining if an online clothing purchase will fit properly is a challenge for many women.    Launched in May 2016, e-commerce site Fovo curates apparel selections that are tailored to female shoppers’ specific body shapes.   “The way forward is personalization,” said Fovo cofounder Kiana Anvaripour in a Chain Store Age interview. We want to help women optimize the experience of shopping online for apparel so the ‘endless scroll’ doesn’t exist.”

Retail tenants are not only reporting a strong performance for the year so far, but are also optimistic about the next six months.