Artificial Intelligence

Sports Authority is looking to advance its omnichannel strategy by continuing to partner with personalization solutions provider Certona for the fifth year in a row.

San Diego, Calif. -- Sports Authority is making good on its promise to make its online site more robust and engaging.

The retailer announced it is renewing its relationship with personalization solutions provider Certona for the fifth consecutive year. By creating rich online experiences for customers, Certona has been a critical component of Sports Authority’s personalization strategy since 2010.

Pittsburgh -- Consumers love their smartphones, but retailers shouldn’t count out the “old tech” yet in terms of customer appeal. And merchants will have to put some effort into getting consumers to accept some of the new high-tech bells and whistles.

Framingham, Mass. -- Staples has opened an online store whose products were determined by crowdfunding.

The winners of the chain’s inaugural Crowd2Shelf Contest are being featured on Staples’ new entrepreneurial store at Staples.com/fundable. The debut of the online store marks the first time a retailer has used crowdfunding to determine market demand and social support in choosing products to carry.

New York -- Target Corp. is going interactive on the pages of Vogue’s September issue.

The discounter will run an advertising campaign in Vogue that utilizes Shazam’s new visual-recognition technology and makes print ads shoppable through a consumer’s smartphone, the New York Times reported.

Some 100 Target products appear in the company’s Vogue ads, with roughly 30 available to buy using “shop now” buttons on the Shazam-enabled online site, according to the report.

New York — Ron Johnson’s newest venture has secured a big round of additional funding.

Enjoy Technology, the online e-commerce start-up founded by the former J.C. Penney chief and Apple store executive, announced it has secured $50 million in a round of Series B funding led by Highland Capital.

New York -- Some of the most creative retailers in marketing were recognized by Experian Marketing Services in its inaugural #SuiteLife Awards.

Among the recipients of the #SuiteLife Awards, a play on Experian’s suite of marketing solutions, were American Eagle Outfitters, Neiman Marcus, Bass Pro Shops, Finish Line and Foot Locker. The awards were presented at Experian’s recently held marketing summit attended by more than 1,000 people in Las Vegas.

Some of the most creative minds in marketing, including some top retailers, were recognized recently when Experian Marketing Services held its inaugural #SuiteLife Awards.

Among the recipients of the #SuiteLife Awards, a play on Experian’s suite of marketing solutions, were American Eagle Outfitters, Neiman Marcus, Bass Pro Shops, Finish Line and Foot Locker. The awards were presented at Experian’s recently held marketing summit attended by more than 1,000 people in Las Vegas.