News

Online shoppers looking for a sofa in that perfect shade of leather will enjoy new technology being rolled out by Wayfair.

The leading furniture e-commerce retailer announced that, in partnership with tech solutions provider roOomy, high-resolution image renderings based on 3D product models will be available on DwellStudio and Birch Lane. Now, customers shopping on these sites will be able to experiment with multiple textures and fabrics, and see 360-degree views to find the perfect pieces of furniture for their home.

Consumers may have an “I want it now” mentality, but most retailers are still struggling to deliver on the demand.

That’s one of the key findings of a survey by HRC Advisory, a leading strategic retail advisory firm and unit of Hilco Global, which revealed that 80% of retailers are not prepared for the “magnitude of change” required to transform their supply chains to a customer-centric, omnichannel model.

Men’s Wearhouse founder George Zimmer has returned to the retail arena with a new concept that aims to do for men’s evening wear what Rent the Runway did for fancy dresses.

Zimmer, the founder and ousted CEO of Men’s Wearhouse, is launching Generation Tux, an online tuxedo and suit rental company. The start-up will rent 17 different styles of house-brand tuxedos, with a flat rate of $95. But customers can also add accessories, including shoes and cuff links, to put together a complete for $150 or less.

SAP is setting some big goals for a suite of future integrated digital enterprise technologies. The enterprise technology firm wants to transform the relationships companies have with their customers.

Barnes & Noble wants its shoppers to celebrate innovation and creativity by hosting its first ever "Maker Faire."

The nation’s largest retail bookseller has formed a new partnership with Maker Media, publisher of Make: magazine and producer of Maker Faire, to launch the first-ever Mini Maker Faire in stores nationwide. The retailer is asking shoppers to participate at their local Barnes & Noble store the weekend of Nov. 6-8 to share their inventions, ideas and more.

According to CNBC, PayPal has quietly begun partnering with online gambling sites to accept PayPal funds for payment.

Although PayPal has been consistently accepted by some foreign gambling sites, it has not been used by any U.S. gambling sites since its 2003 acquisition by eBay Inc. Now that PayPal is operating as a separate company, it has apparently started working with U.S. gambling sites again.

The term “omnichannel” has been bandied about so much that some feel it is simply a buzzword, but retailers are taking it seriously and working to implement omnichannel solutions and practices.

According to a new survey of executives at tier one and two retailers by digital technology provider Happiest Minds, 64% of retailers are putting an omnichannel strategy in place and there seems to be a widespread acknowledgement of omnichannel as a key strategy lever.

Mobile marketing platform provider OtherLevels has some advice for retailers looking to looking boost usage rates of their consumer apps.

According to the company’s “2015 Mobile Retail Messaging Study,” regular mobile messaging can increase consumer usage of retail apps.

Taco Bell has developed a new store design and banner for the brand’s expansion into urban markets.

The new model — designed in house — eliminates the drive-thru and uses technology to help simplify and modernize the restaurant experience. The format, called Taco Bell Cantina, will debut in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago on Tuesday, Sep. 22. The second will open in San Francisco later this month. And in a big change for the company, Cantina customers will be able to buy wine or beer to accompany their tacos.