Artificial Intelligence

Alexa is getting personal.   Amazon is reportedly working on a feature that would allow the Alexa voice assistant that powers its Echo line of speakers to distinguish between individual users based on their voice, sources familiar with the situation told Time.    

Two new projects — on three continents — are expanding the reach of Domino’s conversational-based orders.   The pizza giant, which was among the first companies to launch digital ordering on Google Home in December, is introducing the service to more users in the United States. Now guests can start a new order without having to be a member of the “Pizza Profile” rewards program — a move that opens up the service to more shoppers.  

While many retailers struggle to find the best mobile marketing formula, Urban Outfitters is bucking the trend — big time.   Through a partnership with Appboy and PlaceIQ, the specialty retailer is using consumer behavior, location data and insights to more smartly deliver consumer messages within its brand-owned app. Armed with this data, Urban Outfitters has boosted customer conversions by 75% and increased related revenue by 146%, the chain said.  

Move over millennials, Gen Z is snapping at your heels. And retailers should take note.    Retailers looking to capture share of wallet and brand loyalty from Gen Z – the most  digitally- and socially-engaged generation to date — need to step up their focus on new ways of engagement. But they also should pay attention to their physical stores.   

Video game retailer focuses on improving online post-purchase experience

GameStop’s shoppers are becoming increasingly digital — an evolution that is also narrowing the window between when shoppers purchase merchandise and when they expect to receive it.

Eager to stay engaged with shoppers within this shrinking post-purchase gap, GameStop launched a new e-commerce strategy just prior to its holiday rush focused on driving post-purchase revenue and creating more satisfied customers during this critical selling period.

Steve Carlin, VP and general manager of SoftBank Robotics, spoke with Chain Store Age about how robots are helping to reinvent the in-store shopping experience.

What trends are advancing interest in robot technology at the store level?

A few trends have helped set the stage for in-store robotics.

Retail signs have undergone a major evolution in recent years fueled by the adoption of digital technologies. Marilyn Brennan, business development manager at Egan Sign, spoke with Chain Store Age about the status of sign management in retail.

What trends are you seeing with regard to retail sign programs?

The quest to be a leader in unified commerce remains on top of retailers’ to-do lists. And those companies that tap the power of drones could be positioning themselves to become leaders in the game.

A process that breaks down operational silos, unified commerce requires retailers to transform their organization, business processes and technology to align with customer demands. The result: the ability to drive a top-notch, frictionless, non-frustrating and valuable customer experience.

The proliferation of cheaper, mass-produced consumer-grade virtual reality (VR) applications are finding their niche in retail.   The technology, which was often synonymous with customized and expensive equipment, has been a long-time staple for military training, civil flight training, and industrial 3D modeling.   

Digital transformation is CEOs’ number one priority this year.   To make this a reality, chief executives are investing their capital in the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, robotics, and augmented reality, according to “CEO Viewpoint 2017: The Transformation of Retail,” a report from JDA Software Group and PwC.