Artificial Intelligence

Report: Rent the Runway co-founder joins Walmart tech incubator
Walmart’s tech start-up has added a new leader. The retail giant’s newly launched startup investment arm, called Store No. 8, has named Jenny Fleiss as one of its chief executives, according to Reuters. Fleiss is the co-founder and former head of business development for Rent the Runway.
Tech Insights: Omnichannel Bots Are in Your Future
As recently as the 1990s, the only real form of text-based communication with customers was via email. Today, consumers have a range of social platforms they use to effortlessly communicate — and they expect their shopping experiences to be effortless and, more importantly, seamless across channels as well.

Longtime Target exec to leave

Target Corp. is losing a senior digital executive. Casey Carl, chief innovation and strategy officer, is leaving the retailer, effective May 5. His departure, first reported by The Minneapolis Star-Tribune, comes as the chain has been reducing some of its innovation initiatives, including a store of the future with robots, to focus on efforts that have a faster payback.
Two menswear brands step up digital personalization

Men’s Wearhouse and Jos. A. Bank are not just enhancing customer experiences across their websites — they are personalizing them.
Study: Customized, enterprise-wide plans fight cyberthreats

Senior executives must be ready to tackle the legal and business risks associated with cyberthreats — even before they happen. This means companies must establish enterprise-wide tactics to identify risks, appraise response metrics and apply company-specific risk mitigation strategies, according to the “2017 Data Security Incident Response Report,” from BakerHostetler. The study analyzed more than 450 cyber incidents that the firm handled last year.
UPS uses beacons to quell shipping errors

UPS is taking steps to improve order accuracy. A new program called Preload Smart Scan notifies workers if they have placed an item in the wrong delivery vehicle. Historically, these snafus forced drivers to travel miles out of their way to correct the mistakes.
Struggling teen apparel chain invests in virtual stylist

Days after announcing it is closing hundreds of stores, Rue21 is taking steps to better connect with shoppers online. Focusing on conversational commerce, the teen apparel retailer launched a personalized, interactive shopping experience via the chat-based Messenger app. Powered by mode.ai, the virtual stylist uses Messenger’s new Chat Extensions feature that allows users to interact with the shopping tool in group and one-on-one message threads with friends, the retailer said.
Study: U.S. companies still waiting on an innovation ROI

Global companies agree that innovation is critical to survival but not enough projects are successfully driving growth and increasing revenue. Specifically, two-thirds (66%) of global organizations said innovation is crucial to their longevity, but only 28% are seeing returns on their investments (ROI), according to “Innovation Matters,” a report from PA Consulting Group. The report tapped 821 senior executives across C-level, senior VP, board and director level positions.
Online giant granted patent to create on-demand clothing

Amazon’s newest win could expand its foothold in the private-label apparel category. The online giant won a patent on Tuesday, April 18, for an on-demand apparel manufacturing system. The solution includes a textile printer, textile cutter, and a computing device that will work in concert to design apparel once customers place an order.
Amazon: Breaking Down Four Myths

There’s no denying that Amazon has changed the face of retail, but there are many misconceptions about how the company actually operates. Many wrongly believe that Amazon makes most of its profits from e-commerce, while others incorrectly view Amazon as the long-tail poster child. Unfortunately, these fallacies are leading many retail companies into making bad strategic business decisions as they try to duplicate Amazon’s success. The following is a breakdown of some Amazon myths along with a few takeaways:
Three retailers step up shopper engagement with bots

FreshDirect, Subway and The Cheesecake Factory have added a new item to their menus — conversational commerce. Through a partnership with MasterCard, the three brands are now using artificial intelligence (AI)-based bots to enable consumers to browse menus, build orders and securely checkout via Masterpass — all without leaving the Messenger chat-based platform.
Study: Apparel retailers still seek the perfect technology fit

As more shoppers embrace digital solutions, apparel retailers must merge online and offline experiences to drive e-commerce sales. This was according to “Apparel Trend Report: Reconciling the Tech with the Tactile,” a report from Criteo that highlights the latest shopping trends in the apparel and accessories retail category. The report offers insight into shifting shopper behavior and actionable intelligence for retailers and brands as they seek to fully capitalize on the apparel e-commerce ecosystem.