Omnichannel

While a Web presence is a prerequisite to doing business in the 21st century, the fact that 77% of consumers are now using tablet computers or smartphones to shop is forcing retailers to rethink their digital strategies, according to a survey from online price comparison engine PriceGrabber. Realizing this is not a decision to be taken lightly, retailers need to take steps to ensure that mobility can be an opportunity, and not a threat, to their business.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — DreamWorks has become the latest studio to offer its titles through Walmart's in-store, disc-to-digital service powered by Vudu. At more than 3,500 Walmart stores, customers can convert such DVD and Blu-ray titles as Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon into digital copies that can be accessed from any web-enabled device.

Dallas -- Neiman Marcus announced that Michael R. Kingston would be joining the company, April 23, as senior VP, CIO of The Neiman Marcus Group. Kingston succeeds Phillip Maxwell, who earlier this month announced his retirement.

Kingston joins Neiman Marcus Group from Ann Inc., parent company of Ann Taylor, where he was the executive VP enterprise transformation and technology.
 

The retail industry arguably collects more data than other business segments, and this volume doubles every 18 months, making the prospect of “big data” very real. By adopting mobile business intelligence apps, retailers are harnessing this robust data set and putting decision-making in the hands of its front line of defense — store-level associates.

By Seth Sarelson, [email protected]

In 2009, Terry Lundgren, the CEO of Macy's, gave the keynote address at Shop.org, discussing how “the power of e-commerce extends far beyond the keyboard and right onto the sales floor.” Lundgren went on to say that Macy’s believes that $5 billion of in-store sales is influenced by the Internet.

More framework and less freedom is how Walmart International president and CEO Doug McMillon described the subtle shift occurring within a $126 billion division where he is looking to drive improved performance with a “powered by Walmart” approach.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Despite running fewer stores, Rite Aid grew its sales and narrowed its losses during the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2012, thanks to a boost in its loyalty card program membership, a longer fiscal year and the continuing dispute between Walgreens and Express Scripts.

New York -- Gucci said Wednesday it has launched its own mobile point-of-sale program at select directly operated U.S., Europe and Asia locations.

Through this program, Gucci is leveraging technology to create a unique customer experience and to better serve clients when they are shopping in its stores.