Omnichannel

New York -- Thirty percent of consumers either own or plan to buy a wearable device in the next 12 months, and 34% of those consumers want wearable technology to make their lives easier – and that includes shopping. Those are among the findings of a new study by PowerReviews, a ratings and reviews provider.

New York -- NetSuite Inc., a provider of cloud-based financials, ERP and and omnichannel software suites, said that boardsports retailer Billabong International Ltd. selected NetSuite SuiteCommerce to help transform customer interaction with its brands through the implementation of a new global omnichannel platform.

The platform will be progressively rolled out across the retailer to provide a true omnichannel experience across its wholesale, retail and ecommerce operations.

Salt Lake City -- Sundance Catalog is gearing up for retail expansion, with plans to open two locations in 2015: one in Edina Galleria in Edina, Minnesota, in September, and a second store in Dallas’ NorthPark Center in November. Up to five additional stores are planned for 2016.

Menlo Park, Calif. -- Former J.C. Penney CEO and Apple Store guru Ron Johnson on Wednesday launched a high-end, high-tech gadget shopping site that comes with a personal touch. Called Enjoy, and initially available only in the San Francisco Bay area and, on May 13 in New York City, the new service bills itself as a “personal service platform.” It allows shoppers to buy select consumer electronics online and then, for no charge, sends an expert to install and set up the product at the consumer’s home.

Milwaukee – A lot of pure-play e-commerce retailers have interesting origin stories. According to (dubious) legend, eBay started as a way to buy and sell collectible Pez candy dispensers. Aftcra, an online marketplace for American handmade products, has a verifiable tale of its roots fitting its all-American product selection.

Only 53% of executives believe the EMV chip and pin will protect against a data breach, despite claims that it is more secure, according to a new study.

Oak Brook, Ill. - McDonald's Corp. is trying to make fast-food even more convenient for New Yorkers. The retailer is launching a delivery test with Postmates, a direct-to-consumer delivery service, in the boroughs of Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn.

Customers can go to Postmates.com or download the Postmates mobile app to order McDonald's food for delivery within an hour. The test involves 88 select McDonald's restaurants.

Toronto - Canadian Tire Corp. is opening its new “'Digital Garage” in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, in Canada's “Silicon Valley North.” The new facility is the second digital innovation lab for Canadian Tire, situated near its Communitech lab, and will allow the company's top digital innovators to develop new in-store and online technologies at a faster pace.