Data & Analytics

Retailers who develop their e-commerce environments for mobile phone users appear to be on the right track.

According to the new Q3 Shopping Index from e-commerce platform provider Demandware Inc., tablets now account for only 11% of digital commerce traffic, down 22% from its peak of near 15% in the first quarter of 2014.
Meanwhile, mobile phones account for 41% of digital commerce traffic. Desktops still lead with 48% of traffic, but the only platform showing traffic growth is mobile phone.

Asurion Retail Solutions has introduced an unlimited device protection plan to help retailers build stronger, more connected relationships with small businesses and consumers.

The new initiative is a first-to-retail product innovation, according to Asurion, that allows retailers to serve as a single-source destination for customers’ protection coverage needs across an unlimited number of devices purchased from any retailer.

Target Corp. has long been an innovator in retail marketing and merchandising. But its latest efforts to think outside the box are taking it even further afield.

Retail cloud technology deployments have been getting a lot of attention lately. However, the most publicized retail uses of cloud technology tend to be flashy, front-end implementations. For example, cloud platforms are frequently deployed to support the seamless customer experience that underpins omnichannel retail strategies. But the cloud is not just suited to running customer-facing systems. Cloud technology can also serve as an ideal platform for back-end systems and functions, such as workforce management.

Retail facilities are making the shift to LEDs, a more efficient, brighter and longer-lasting lighting option that saves energy and reduces operating costs. Its rapid return on interest makes LED retrofitting a smart, simple fix.

But what if LED lighting installations could also increase and guide purchasing decisions? What if thoughtful placement and controlled lighting could make customers feel more comfortable and safe, and make employees more productive?

John Bultema, executive VP, treasury management and currency processing solutions for Fifth Third Bank, spoke with Chain Store Age editor Marianne WIlson about the current status of cash receipts in retail store. And how they aren’t going away anytime soon.

Company HQ: New York City

Company Website: www.brixmor.com

It’s almost time to stop using the term omnichannel retail.

Modern customers have told retailers that they expect consistency across channels during their shopping journeys. That caused some disruption several years ago, but the market responded.

Retailers that haven’t grasped the concept of omnichannel and implemented it successfully are generally out of business or losing serious market share to slicker competition. The term omnichannel has more or less become superfluous: It is now implied in the simple term retail.