Data & Analytics

With the rise of multichannel retailing and a saturated retail market, today’s customers expect to find the products they want, when they want and in a way that is most convenient to them. Be it via speedy delivery, in-store pickup or traditional store visits, shoppers today want to be connected to their purchases quickly. Retailers that don’t provide such services will be outperformed by competitors that do this Christmas season.

Mobile devices are becoming the norm for every facet of consumers’ lives, including shopping.

According to a new infographic from membership-based retailer DirectBuy, 29% of U.S. adults describe their smartphone as something they can’t live without, 44% sleep with a smartphone by their bed to avoid missing notifications, and 67% check smartphones for notifications even without receiving some type of notification.

Retailers should continually re-invent the in-store experience to keep up with changing consumer needs.

That is one of the key imperatives for growth identified in a new retail index and executive survey, “Reigniting Growth: Three Imperatives for Retail’s Future,” by SAP SE.

Yesterday’s POS won’t cut it when it comes to providing a consistent experience across channels.

That’s among the findings of a study sponsored by NetSuite and conducted by RSR research, which finds that most retailers are falling short in bridging the online and in-store experience Among the main obstacles: outdated existing technology.

Hungry consumers in Portland just got a new option for convenient eating.

Amazon.com is enabling Prime Now customers in Portland to obtain free delivery from local restaurants and food carts. Using the Prime Now mobile app, Portland customers can view participating restaurants, browse menus, place orders, track the status of their delivery, and watch as the driver travels from the restaurant to the delivery address in real time.

Once an order is placed, Amazon delivery drivers pick up and deliver the food within an hour or less.

Under Armour is using technology to enhance in-store consumer engagement.

The athletic goods marketer is adding charging stations, from ChargeItSpot, to all its “brand house” format stores nationwide, as well as two factory outlets.

One of the nation’s largest mall operators is updating its parking lot lighting with a tech-savvy solution.

Target is reaching out directly where consumers digitally congregate for its new Halloween promotion.

Target has launched a six-part YouTube interactive video series, “The House on Hallow Hill,” for Halloween this year. The interactive videos will take viewers through a haunted house and give them options to visit different themed rooms, such as “The Ghoulish Graveyard.”