Omnichannel

Minneapolis - HighJump Software, a provider of supply chain execution and retail management software, is releasing new capabilities and enhancements to its Retailvantage retail inventory and POS solution. With more than 50 enhancements and new features added to the system, this latest release includes enhanced reporting functionality, further e-commerce integration with FurnitureDealer.net and MicroD, and new capabilities such as the ability to send e-receipts and capture digital customer signatures at the point-of-sale.

Newegg has turned to Visa to streamline the checkout process for its customers. The leading electronics-focused e-retailer will leverage the Visa Checkout payment service to simplify the process of buying online.

Visa Checkout can be used when shopping Newegg from a desktop computer and mobile devices. To mark the addition of the new service, Newegg is running a promotion until August 25 giving customers 10% (up to $20) off purchases made using Visa Checkout.

Once again a move by our innovative friends at Amazon.com has prompted me to write a Tech Bytes column. Amazon’s latest interesting venture is the launch of an online marketplace for items created by 3D printer. Currently, the online 3D printed products store includes more than 200 items in categories such as jewelry, toys, home décor and fashion accessories. The new store will feature design templates for product individualization and 3D preview capability.

Minneapolis – Target Corp. is reducing its earnings guidance for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 due to the expected $138 million financial impact of its December 2013 data breach, partially offset by $38 million in insurance. Target now expects EPS for the quarter within a range around $0.78, compared with prior guidance of $0.85 to $1 per share.

Pittsburgh -- Smartphone-generated revenue by consumers to retailer smartphone-optimized websites was up 97.6%, from July 2014 versus July 2013, according to Branding Brand, a mobile commerce platform.  

The firm’s Mobile Commerce Index for July 2014 shows that smartphones generated 34.9% of total online visits (61.8% iOS, 37.4% Android) up 19.9% from July 2013. Meanwhile, the market share of non-mobile (desktop) visits decreased 13.7%, from July 2013 to July 2014.

Just a few days after naming a new CEO, Target issued a preliminary update on its second-quarter expenses related, in part, to the December 2013 data breach.  

Amazon’s Fire TV’s app selection has more than doubled, with hundreds of services and games added since launch, including the official Flappy Birds Family — currently a Fire TV exclusive game.

New services include WATCH Disney Channel, WATCH Disney Jr., MLB.TV, Animal Planet L!ve and WWE Network, with more already on the way. By the end of the year, TV services such as WATCH ABC, WATCH ABC Family, NFL Now, A&E, Lifetime, Outside TV, Young Hollywood, North Face TV, Fashion TV, Green TV and Dailymotion will all be available to Fire TV customers.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is updating its website with new features and enhancements to provide shoppers with a more personalized, faster and improved shopping experience.