Omnichannel

Shoptalk is out to break the mold of what constitutes a retail industry event and the clearest indication of that philosophy is a digital brochure that showcases an expanding roster of speakers and the image of a monkey sitting on a toilet. Seriously.
 

Operating multiple brands and channels, Guitar Center has struggled in recent years with merchandising challenges such as omnichannel retailing, branding and selling a mix of new and used products.

There is a growing disconnect between shoppers’ growing in-store service expectations and retailers’ current service offerings and focus for the coming year.

Walgreens, along with a host of other retailers, on Tuesday opted into Visa's Visa Checkout to help facilitate an omnichannel shopping experience. Walmart.com also will be incorporating the option into its services within the year, Visa reported.

JDA Software Group Inc. is releasing enhancements to its warehouse management solution designed to make it more accessible and responsive to real-time, omnichannel supply chain needs.

To maximize accessibility of warehouse management, JDA is embedding mobility into all aspects of the solution. Thus employees can use the application in any location without a workstation. This allows managers to track and observe employees executing their work on the floor, while allowing warehouse associates to accomplish tasks using touchscreens and visual guides on the floor.

After years of hard work and success, Amazon.com has finally gained admittance to an elite Ivy League campus.

Amazon plans to open Amazon@Penn, a new staffed package pickup point to be opened on the University of Pennsylvania campus. The first such facility at an Ivy League university, Amazon@Penn will offer a location for Penn students to pick up and return their Amazon orders.

New York & Co. was able to rise above headwinds from unseasonable weather during the holidays to an increase in same-store sales.

The company says same store sales increased 1.6% during the holiday period and that it expects same-store sales for the full quarter to increase in the low single-digit percentage, in line with the company’s previously disclosed guidance.

Photo: Jack Ma and Howard Schultz, China Partner Family Forum