Artificial Intelligence

Study: Shoppers not shying away from voice, chatbots, other new technologies
When connecting with retailers, consumers are warming up to more complex and emerging technologies. Retailers are starting to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and voice technology into communications with shoppers — and consumers are increasingly receptive. In fact, 79% of shoppers have used text, messenger apps or voice devices, and 74% indicated they have used live chat when shopping.
New Consumer Expectations, New Opportunities for Retailers
Consumers continue to make the majority of their purchases at the physical store. However, their constant connectivity to the cloud through smartphones, laptops, tablets and smart watches — combined with the popularity of e-commerce — is redefining their expectations of the ideal in-store experience. Today, consumers want the same convenience, personalization and simplicity they’ve grown accustomed to online.

Best Buy sets $43 billion revenue goal for 2021

With its transformation deemed complete, Best Buy is looking for solid gains in profits and sales during the next several years. It also sees expanded opportunities for growth in new smart home initiatives.
Study: Retailers triple same-day delivery offerings

Eager to get merchandise into shoppers’ hands the same day they place an order, 65% of retailers will offer same-day delivery within two years. This was according to the “2017 Digital Commerce Benchmark Survey,” from Boston Retail Partners (BRP).
CBL puts an eye on shoppers

CBL is launching a pilot program at two of its malls that will more closely measure the volume and the specific nature of traffic. The initiative, directed by RetailNext, will place cameras at various points on the properties that not only count heads, but determine shoppers’ genders and approximate their ages within five years. The test will take place at Hamilton Place in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Asheville Mall in Asheville, North Carolina.
Study: Amazon cashes in on sweet and salty snacks

Amazon has evolved into a destination for a variety of categories, and now it’s adding sweets and snacks to this portfolio. Out of $49 billion in total sales across sweets and snacks in 2016, Amazon rang up $240 million in 2016. And between January-August 2017, the online giant has already grabbed $215 million — a year-over-year (YoY) growth of 42%, according to “Sweets & Snacks: The Amazon Effect,” a report from One Click Retail.
Marie Claire dresses up first-ever pop-up store with technology innovations

An 80-year-old fashion magazine is using technology to bring the fashion, beauty and entertainment featured on its glossy pages to life.
Shoptalk 2018 reveals initial speaker lineup

The president and CEO of Macy's, Jeff Gennette, and Google's president of global partnerships, Daniel Alegre, will be among the headliners at Shoptalk 2018, the nex-gen retail and e-commerce event. Also on the bill: Alon Cohen, president and co-founder of Houzz, the home furnishings and design site. Shoptalk's final agenda will feature more than 400 speakers, an increase of 25% over 2017’s event.
Discounter swaps out Apple devices for Android on its sales floor

Target associates are using new devices to complete their daily tasks. After using iPod Touches for the last three years to manage stock, pull items, and handle other essential sales floor duties, Target is now putting Android devices into its associates’ hands, according to Gizmodo.
Study: Cash-free society could be here sooner than you think

A cash-free economy could be here sooner than expected — and American consumers are leading the charge. Slightly more than half (54%) of consumers in the United States expect to stop using cash for shopping by 2020, according to “Lost in Transaction,” a report from payments provider Paysafe. The study, conducted among 3,038 consumers in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, examines how cash is merging with digital formats.
Home furnishings giant launches augmented reality design app

Ikea is allowing its shoppers to virtually test drive merchandise before making a purchase. The home furnishings giant is preparing to launch a new augmented reality (AR) app. Called Ikea Place, the app allows customers to virtually place furniture in any space in their home, office, school or studio — and share the images. The app, which will be supported by Apple’s iOS 11 platform, will launch in late September.
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