Omnichannel

Beverly, Mass. - Orchard Brands, a multichannel retailer of apparel and home products focused on consumers older than 50, has partnered with Borderfree for global e-commerce. Through its partnership with Borderfree, Orchard Brands’ 13 unique online storefronts are now available to international shoppers in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide.

Burlington, Mass. – Demandware Inc. has agreed to expand into in-store retail sales by acquiring Tomax, an enterprise cloud software company that provides an integrated solution for retail POS and store operations. Total purchase price will be about $75 million, including $60 million in cash and $15 million in contingent retention-based payments.

In addition to educating attendees about the charitable activities of Retail ROI and presenting a heartfelt session from Katie Meyler, founder of Liberian non-profit More Than Me and a 2014 Time Person of the Year for her Ebola prevention efforts, this year’s Super Saturday event in New York focused squarely on customer experience. A variety of industry experts across a range of panel discussions all returned to the crucial need for technology-enabled, seamless customer experience.

Online home furnishings retailer Wayfair is leveraging Sherwin-Williams’ color technology for a whole new user experience on wayfair.com.

The retailer plans to integrate Sherwin-Williams’ color matching technology throughout the wayfair.com shopping experience, allowing shoppers to browse paint colors alongside more than 2 million products in furniture, décor and bedding.

Workplace customization was a recurring theme that emerged from Staples’ annual design competition.

The unique design competition involved 150 designers and architects who undertook the challenge of envisioning what workplaces will look like a decade from now.

As part of the contest, more than 150 architects and designers from around the world envisioned what work lives would be in the next 10-15 years, given the shift toward a "work anywhere, anytime" mentality.

San Jose, Calif. – PayPal will release a new PayPal Here credit card reader that will include payment support for Microsoft Surface and other Windows devices. Later this year, PayPal will release an EMV-compliant PayPal Here reader to the U.S.

Wearables
In 2015, consumers will inevitably begin to integrate wearable connective technology more into their daily lives. For example, Luxottica Group S.pA. is launching a multiyear R&D collaboration with Intel Corp. to create eyewear infused with smart technology. The ultimate goal is to deliver smart, fashion-forward products that are meaningful and desirable to consumers. The first product from Intel and Luxottica is expected to launch in 2015.

New York -- NCR announced that its SelfServ 90 will be deployed by Ryohin Keikaku Co, Ltd. in Japan. The pilot implementation for MUJI department stores marks the first installation of NCR self-checkout technology in a non-grocery environment in Japan.  Additional deployments are expected for its high-traffic locations inside terminal buildings and metro areas, as well as other stand-alone locations. The MUJI store in Yurakucho, Japan is the site of the initial installation.