Artificial Intelligence

Tech Guest Viewpoint: Protecting and securing your site for holiday success
It seems that cybercriminals never sleep no matter where you are in the world. The Information Commissioners Office released data showing that cyberattacks and breaches nearly doubled from 2015 to 2016 in the U.K.
Startups Spotlight: Employee engagement, elevating store experiences and more
If you’re concerned about employee engagement and reducing your staff turn-over numbers, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there’s a startup offering solutions to meet your workers engagement goals and encourage your associates to stay onboard and thrive with your team. Other companies in the spotlight this month are innovating around point-of-purchase mobile marketing, using in-store scents to stand out, real-time store promotional display monitoring and creating meaningful and memorable customer experiences.

Settling the New Frontier: How Retailers can Pave the Path to Purchase

Incorporating digital components into the physical store is the next frontier for retailers. You see, customers’ expectations have grown while their attention spans have shrunk. Some reports have even found that goldfish (yes, you read that right, goldfish) have a longer attention span than humans.
5 core strategies of next generation merchandising [Presented by Menasha]
Tech Commentary: How Augmented Reality is Changing Online Shopping

The rapid evolution of e-commerce has created a consistent channel for retailers and brands, giving brick-and-mortar stores a run for their money. Still, many vendors have yet to create engaging, timely experiences throughout the buyer’s journey.
Tech Tips for Surviving the E-Commerce Boom this Holiday Season

Holiday e-commerce sales in the U.S. are estimated to approach $90 billion in 2016, representing a 13% increase from 2015, according to Practical E-Commerce. This can be either a massive opportunity or a massive struggle for retailers depending on whether or not they’re prepared to handle their consumers’ online shopping activity.
Lowe’s partners with San Francisco start-up to sell tech devices

Lowe’s Companies is partnering with an unusual and very tech-savvy retailer to sell “smart” home devices. The home improvement retailer has teamed up with San-Francisco-based b8ta to launch an in-store shop concept dedicated to demystifying and simplifying the purchase of smart home devices Called “SmartSpot powered by b8ta,” the new concept is currently in place in three Lowe’s stores in California (Livermore, Burbank and Aliso Viejo).
Report: Retailers lack formal omnichannel demand planning processes

While retailers are focused on unified commerce, most retailers’ planning tools are not capable of supporting this digital environment. This message was revealed in Boston Retail Partners’ “2016 Merchandise Planning Survey,” a report based on responses from more than 500 North American retailers. The report delivers insight into retailers’ planning initiatives, priorities and future trends.
Ikea expanding renewable energy portfolio with new technology

Ikea is rolling out biogas-powered fuel cell technology to more stores. The home furnishings retailer has installed the fuel cell systems at two Southern California stores, in Costa Mesa and Covina. In addition, Ikea also is planning to deploy fuel cell systems at its store in East Palo Alto, Calif., as well as its store in San Diego and in New Haven, Conn. (Ikea first deployed the technology over a year ago, at its store in Emeryville, Calif.).
Target touts improved order pick-up — just in time for the holidays

Order pick-up is getting easier at Target stores. In a posting on its website, the retailer detailed several enhancements to make it quicker and faster for shoppers who order online and pick up in a store. To make it easy to spot designated Target team members who can help with orders, Target associates in 325 stores nationwide have been outfitted with “Order Pickup” t-shirts, and offer order pickup reusable bags be used throughout the holiday season and beyond.
Domino’s drone delivery takes off

Domino’s is replacing delivery men with drones in select locations as it kicks off the world’s first drone pizza delivery service. Starting Wednesday, Nov. 16, Domino's Pizza Enterprises and Flirtey, a drone delivery service, are launching their first-ever drone-based “store-to-door” deliveries in a test among select customers in New Zealand. The two companies plan to scale up these pizza-by-drone deliveries in the near future, a company statement said.
Beacons’ Next Step: Bringing ‘Online’ to the Real World, Getting Personal

In 2013, to much hype and social media fanfare, Apple introduced the iBeacon into their iOS with release 4.0. Then everything went quiet, mostly because very few applications for the technology exist, and not enough developers understood the unlimited potential of the technology.