MARKETING/SOCIAL MEDIA

The delivery wars continue to heat up.  

The CEO of the nation's largest private employer has criticized the administration’s response to the violent protests in Charlottesville, Virginia.    In a note to Walmart employees posted on the company's website, CEO Doug McMillon said that President Trump "missed a critical opportunity" in his initial reaction to the "tragic events" that occurred in Charlottesville, Va. But he called Trump's follow-up remarks on Monday "a step in the right direction."  

ASOS is streamlining how its mobile shoppers search for merchandise.   The largest online fashion retailer in the U.K. is adding a visual search feature to its iOS-based mobile app, reported TechCrunch. It will be rolled out to their Android app “soon."   

Sephora’s new service strives to connect customers while they shop.   The specialty retailer launched a digital platform that invites customers enrolled in its Beauty Insider loyalty program to connect and chat about all things beauty. The mobile and online platform serves as a destination for members to find inspiration, ask questions and get recommendations in an unsponsored, real-time social setting.  

Back to school is the retail year’s second most critical season. It’s thought of as that make-or-break stretch that provides momentum into the holiday season. For several years, retailers have seen changes in the way the back-to-school season behaves. This year will be no exception as e-commerce and convenience plays continue to devour consumer attention and wallet share.   

With 20% of emails being filtered into spam folders, retail marketers are missing out on the opportunity to drive an ROI from email.   This was according to “2017 Deliverability Benchmark Report,” a study from data solutions provider Return Path. The report analyzed 2 billion brand emails.  

Everyone’s trying to figure out what drives consumers to purchase. But to understand how they shop, you need to know what makes them tick.   Alliance Data’s Analytics and Insights Institute conducted a study with more than 2,400 respondents to better understand consumer buying habits and expectations. These insights, cross-referenced with results from our "Understanding Customer Loyalty" study, confirmed that consumer buying habits track closely with life stage and each generation’s cultural identity.

Target is getting more pet-friendly as it extends its partnering initiatives with popular online retail brands.   The discounter announced it will sell toys and treats from Bark, the company that operates subscription-based online pet supplies retailer BarkBox. It's the first time Bark products will be available in retail stores.    Based in New York City, Bark launched in 2012 and now counts over 500,000 subscribers. It is known for its fun and quirky toy and natural treat lines.

Simon is debuting a new type of concierge — one that never calls in sick.   The mall owner launched a chatbot designed to deliver customers at its 208 North American centers useful information as they shop.  Described as the industry’s first enterprise-wide bot, the artificial intelligence-based technology is available through Facebook Messenger, and provides store and restaurant information, hours of operation, special events, daily promotions and a list of available amenities.  

Shopping for groceries online has a long way to go before it catches on with the vast majority of U.S. consumers.   Nine percent of U.S. adults report that their household shop online for groceries at least once a month, including 4% who do it at least weekly, according to Gallup's annual Consumption Habits survey. By contrast, almost all Americans say someone in their family shops for groceries in person at least once a month, with 83% going at least once a week.