Omnichannel

Starbucks has brought its small-sized store format to the Windy City.

The coffee giant has opened a 635-sq.-ft. Starbucks Express cafe in Chicago's Union Station. This is the company’s fifth location to date for its Express concept, which features a streamlined menu that focuses on brewed coffee, espresso beverages and select food items.

The other Express stores are located in New York and Toronto.

The retail executives responsible for delivering omnichannel customer experience admit there is much work to be done to come in line with consumer expectations and demands.

Business technology and services provider Periscope, a McKinsey solution, conducted a survey of attendees at World Retail Congress 2016 held in Dubai in April 2016. According to the results, only 21% say they are more confident than a year ago on delivering omnichannel experiences. Another 45% say progress is not happening fast enough.

When it comes to shopping in stores, “digital natives” want the same technological conveniences they have come to expect online.

According to a new research report from Euclid Analytics, “Bringing Digital Engagement In-store,” 67% of millennial adults age 18-34 would be very or somewhat likely to use in-store WiFi for faster checkout via an exclusive VIP line. This compares to 60% of Gen Xers 35-54 and only 38% of baby boomers age 55 and older.

Digital retailing is growing in popularity, but the brick-and-mortar channel remains dominant for at least one crucial consumer activity.

According to research firm Toluna, an equal percentage of consumers browse before purchasing online or via mobile (76%) as browse in-store (also 76%). However, when it comes time to make a purchase, 82% will do so in-store while only 65% purchase items online or via mobile.

A major Manhattan subway station concourse that had been closed since 2009 has been transformed into a lively shopping and dining destination.

TurnStyle, an underground marketplace inside the Columbus Circle 59th Street subway, is now open to the public.

Financing for the project was provided by Goldman Sachs, through its Urban Investment Group.

Amazon.com has found another way to demonstrate its commanding lead in e-commerce – monthly unique visitors.

According to the comScore March 2016 rankings of the top 50 multi-platform (desktop and mobile) properties by unique U.S. work and home visits, Amazon sites received 180.97 million unique visitors. This ranked first among all predominantly retail web properties and fifth overall.

Online home furnishings retailer Wayfair Inc. is partnering with Seattle-based home services platform Porch.com to offer home installation and assembly services to its customers.