Data & Analytics

Omnichannel retailing means a lot more than offering a consistent customer experience across channels.

According to a new report from IDC Retail Insights, “Omni-Channel Retail Execution Platforms for Now and the Future,” omnichannel retailing requires investing in technology that engages consumers in “customer-centric journeys.”

Retailers have always experienced a tension between investing to grow and investing to improve security. Not surprisingly, we’ve seen vulnerabilities arise when marketing and sales initiatives have trumped less sexy initiatives around security. In 2013, 61 million people had their personal data stolen from Target. One year later, 56 million credit and debit card numbers were exposed in Home Depot’s breach.

Lowe's is coming to the aid of the communities it serves with a donation to help provide relief in the wake of massive flooding in the Southeast.

The retailer plans to donate $500,000 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief and work to provide both immediate and long-term support to local communities in the Southeast.

Every year, it seems, summer and the “back to school” shopping season go by in a flash.

For the third consecutive year, Apple and Google came out on top in a ranking of the 100 most valuable brands in the world.

Walmart Canada is looking to make online shopping as convenient as possible by partnering with 7-Eleven Canada Inc. to expand Walmart Canada’s Grab & Go locker network in six 7-Eleven stores in the greater Toronto area.

The service offers customers using Walmart.ca a free shipping option where they can pick up their order, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at no cost. This partnership expands on Walmart Canada’s current Grab & Go Locker service, which offers free shipping to 45 Grab & Go lockers in the GTA.

A new event for retailers and consumer package goods executives is taking shape called Shoptalk and the successful entrepreneurs behind its creation have big plans and funding to make it happen.

One of the strongest performing retailers in the past few years will be getting a new CEO in January.

The company announced that current CEO and Chairman Carol Meyrowitz will step down and be succeeded by Ernie Herrman, 54, who will retain his current title as president of the company.

When it comes to a primary device, consumers of all ages make the same choice by a clear margin.

According to a new survey of 4,000 consumers from Adobe, 92% of millennials consider the smartphone as their primary device.

Tablets, however, show opposite age trends. While 72% of all consumers say they own tablets, baby boomers and 70 and over report higher usage. 87% of respondents use tablets at home, with 66% using it every day. Top activities include reading emails (72%), playing games (60%), sending emails (60%) and shopping (55%)

Online shopping platform Bigcommerce sets expectations high with its name. Hot on the heels of offering the “Buyable Pins” Pinterest shopping feature and Twitter “Buy Now” social commerce button to its merchants, Bigcommerce is launching partnerships to simplify shipping and fraud detection.