Data & Analytics

Walmart is appealing to suppliers – even those who don’t sell it merchandise – to share their complete product catalog with the company in the name of providing shoppers accurate, up-to-date and comprehensive information.

The goal of a new pilot program according to a blog post on Walmartlabs.com written by global head of content acquisition, Ram Rampalli, is to solve a universal problem by delivering exceptional product content.

San Francisco -- Pinterest on Tuesday officially started its foray into e-commerce.

The social networking giant has started rolling out a “buy it” button on its pins on iPhone and iPad apps.  It also is launching new shop categories, including "Shop our picks," a curated selection of seasonal goods, and "Shop" for the latest buyable Pins.

Boot Barn has taken a significant step forward in its e-commerce strategy now that its acquisition of Sheplers is complete.

It’s no secret that the rise of mobile devices is empowering consumers and altering the way they shop. But mobile isn’t just changing the game for consumers. It’s also empowering chain stores to take advantage of those behavior changes to strengthen customer relationships and distinguish the in-store experience.  

Here are five simple ways that chain stores can take advantage of mobile devices like tablets to enhance and differentiate the in-store experience and drive sales:

Toronto - Staples Canada has released its 2015 recycling objectives and first quarter update. Highlights include a plan to collect three million ink cartridges and 4,000,000 kg of electronics in 2015.

Staples Canada partners with Call2Recycle to collect and recycle batteries (rechargeable and alkaline) in every Staples store. In the first quarter, 37,111 kg of batteries were collected, an increase of 22.5% from the same quarter a year earlier. The retailer has set a goal of collecting 125,000 kg of batteries in 2015.

For decades, buying and installing phone systems in retail stores has remained a mundane experience. Times have changed.

Quincy, Mass. -- Online grocer Peapod.com has joined the “farm box” movement that many local farmers markets and supermarkets are now promoting.

The company unveiled its Local Farm Box service, whereby customers in New York City; New Jersey; Eastern Massachusetts; Rhode Island; Pennsylvania; Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Virginia; Illinois; Indiana and Wisconsin will have the option of adding a box of produce from local farms to their virtual grocery cart.

New York -- Walmart wants to keep customers better connected with supplier information.

The discounter on Monday unveiled a pilot program called the Product Content Collection System (PCCS), which is designed to provide rich, descriptive data about Walmart products from all suppliers and manufacturers, while providing the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive product information to customers. Walmart introduced the new venture on the blog of its Silicon Valley-based, technology laboratory, WalmartLabs.