Data & Analytics

Study: Shoppers not shying away from voice, chatbots, other new technologies
When connecting with retailers, consumers are warming up to more complex and emerging technologies. Retailers are starting to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and voice technology into communications with shoppers — and consumers are increasingly receptive. In fact, 79% of shoppers have used text, messenger apps or voice devices, and 74% indicated they have used live chat when shopping.
VR: Don’t be a virtual latecomer
If you’re not in gaming or medical arts, virtual reality is likely to be one of those items that sits on your to-do list, but is not likely to be near the top. It’s one of those items for which many a business person elects late-adopter status: Let the tech geeks and early adopters figure it all out and then I’ll jump in when it becomes relevant to me.

Best Buy sets $43 billion revenue goal for 2021

With its transformation deemed complete, Best Buy is looking for solid gains in profits and sales during the next several years. It also sees expanded opportunities for growth in new smart home initiatives.
Study: Retailers triple same-day delivery offerings

Eager to get merchandise into shoppers’ hands the same day they place an order, 65% of retailers will offer same-day delivery within two years. This was according to the “2017 Digital Commerce Benchmark Survey,” from Boston Retail Partners (BRP).
Regulatory Wrap-Up: Online sales tax collection back in spotlight

Wages
Department store giant scales back holiday hiring

Fewer stores translates into reduced holiday hiring for Macy's this year. Macy's plans to hire a total of 80,000 workers for the holiday rush, down from about 83,000 last year. The company has been closing underperforming stores and currently operates some 70 fewer stores than it did last year.
Marie Claire dresses up first-ever pop-up store with technology innovations

An 80-year-old fashion magazine is using technology to bring the fashion, beauty and entertainment featured on its glossy pages to life.
Fair Scheduling Laws: Implications for retail, and navigating the changes

Oregon passed Senate Bill 828, known as the “Fair Work Week” law, last month. This law requires foodservice, retail and hospitality employers to give hourly workers reliable work week schedules upon hire, maintain a voluntary list of standby employees to address unanticipated customer needs or unexpected employee absences, and provide their workers with advance notice of schedule changes.
Study: Consumers did half of their online spending on marketplaces in 2016

Marketplaces are taking an increasing share of business-to-consumer (B2C) online retail sales. Last year, shoppers did half of their online spending through marketplaces — a level that could rise to 66% by 2022, according to “Half of B2C Online Retail Spend Came from Marketplaces in 2016,” a report from Forrester.
Study: Consumers growing uneasy about increasing access to personal data

Despite the ramping up of global data regulations, most consumers are concerned about how companies collect and use their information. In fact, an overwhelming 96% of consumers are "somewhat" to "extremely" concerned about data collection and usage. This is understandable, as more than 75% engage in digital payment transactions at least once a month.

Study: Shoppers not shying away from voice, chatbots, other new technologies

VR: Don’t be a virtual latecomer

Best Buy sets $43 billion revenue goal for 2021

Study: Retailers triple same-day delivery offerings

Regulatory Wrap-Up: Online sales tax collection back in spotlight

Wages

Department store giant scales back holiday hiring

Marie Claire dresses up first-ever pop-up store with technology innovations

Fair Scheduling Laws: Implications for retail, and navigating the changes

Study: Consumers did half of their online spending on marketplaces in 2016

Study: Consumers growing uneasy about increasing access to personal data