Artificial Intelligence

Verizon: Three breach scenarios to watch for
There is an endless variety of ways hackers can attempt to gain access to retailers’ networks, but a few are particularly common.

In a new study, “Data Breach Digest,” Verizon identifies 18 different data breach scenarios drawn from analyzing more than 1,200 global cases investigated by the Verizon Risk Team in the past three years.

“There is a lot more commonality than most people realize,” said Chris Novak, director of investigative response, Verizon Enterprise Solutions.
Illuminating Five Points of Light
Without light, design doesn’t exist and cannot be seen or experienced. Increasingly, light goes beyond the purely function to perform an aesthetic role in assuming center stage. Much of this enhanced role is a byproduct of almost limitless possibilities that now exist to use light sources in places and ways that were previously inconceivable.

Light is no longer just about seeing. More and more, it is being used as a design tool integral to creating exciting retail environments. With that in mind, here are five new ways to think about light:

Tech Guest Viewpoint: How to improve omnichannel profitability

Omnichannel retailing — or as it is increasingly known, “retailing” — is complex and can increase costs for retailers. Here are a few ways retailers can improve store-level fulfillment to increase both profits and customer service.
Lowes Foods makes exceptional loss prevention effort

Knowing when things are right is important, but knowing when things are wrong may be even more vital.
The one book every retailer must read

Even if overuse of the words disruption and transformation hadn’t diluted their meaning, they would still come up short when describing global economy altering trend envisioned by some that could have a devastating impact on consumer spending.
North Face expands artificial intelligence engagement

Specialty outdoor retailer The North Face is reportedly taking a desktop-based interactive online shopping experience it launched in December to a new platform. According to VentureBeat, The North Face is launching a mobile app that will let consumers find products using natural conversation to conduct searches and receive personalized recommendations. The app is scheduled to launch in April 2016.
Total Service

A diversified service offering that includes interior and exterior signage, lighting, specialty contracting and facilities maintenance gives ImageOne Industries an up-close look at the evolving retail scene. Chain Store Age spoke with ImageOne Industries president Jim Mikula about some of the trends the company is seeing.

What trends are you seeing in retail signage and graphics?
KEEPING PACE WITH EMV

The theme of constant security vigilance also applies to the EMV chip-based card payment standard. Retailers are not the only ones that have been scrambling to adapt to EMV since the October 2015 mandate.

“The chase is on,” said Brian Engle, executive director of the Retail Cyber Intelligence Sharing Center (R-CISC). “The introduction of EMV-compliant chip technology is driving fraudsters online.”
Constant Vigilance

Even when security technology vendors and users are unaware of a vulnerability, cybercriminals may already be well aware and taking advantage.
RFID Update

A seamless customer experience begins with a complete, real-time view of enterprise product assortment. However, RFID technology is taking this concept of “inventory awareness” to previously unimagined levels.
Lessons from Uber's Playbook

If you were an Uber user in Austin, Texas, this fall, you might have been surprised to see the option to take a horse and buggy instead of a car appear on your smartphone.

The tongue-in-cheek offer was part of Uber’s effort to inform and mobilize customers in its fight against what the company contended were antiquated regulations being considered by local government.
RILA Recap: Retailers seek supply chain solutions

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) convened its 31st annual Supply Chain Conference earlier this week. RILA’s Caroline Stec provided a recap of an event which drew record attendance.