News

Tech Bytes: Three Thoughts on Social Retailing: SAP Retail Forum
At the recent SAP Retail Forum held in Miami, I was part of a panel discussion titled, “Creating One Experience for the Digital Consumer.” Providing a consistent, integrated online and offline experience for digital shoppers is a multifaceted task that involves many platforms.

A lot of my commentary focused on how social media in particular can prove a crucial asset in creating a unified digital customer experience. Here are three specific thoughts on social retailing pulled from the panel discussion.
2015 holiday retail storecast
With (believe it or not) the holiday season almost upon us, it is time once again to take part in the annual ritual of crystal ball gazing and seasonal sales forecasts.

Sleepy’s realizes EMV, NFC payment dream

Sleepy’s, The Mattress Professionals is staying awake when it comes to the latest in consumer payment.

The privately held specialty mattress and bedding accessories retailer has committed to upgrading to Ingenico Group smart terminals to securely accept EMV credit and debit cards and NFC/contactless mobile payments at all of its 1,000-plus stores by the end of 2015.
TJX enters Australian off-price market

The TJX Companies is expanding into another country with its acquisition of Trade Secret’s 35 stores.

TJX announced it has completed its acquisition of Trade Secret, an off-price retailer that operates 35 stores in Australia, from Gazal Corporation Limited for $59 million. The acquisition of Trade Secret provides TJX an opportunistic entry into Australia, where TJX currently operates one of its 13 buying offices.
Walmart aims to 'greenlight' America's veterans

Walmart is launching a new initiative to help the 250,000 members of the military transitioning back to civilian life in the United States each year.

The program, called Greenlight a Vet, aims to bring recognition to the veterans a year transitioning back to school, jobs and neighborhoods. Walmart is encouraging everyone to participate by showing their support using a "visible symbol," saying even though we don't always know who are vets are when they aren't wearing uniforms, we should still show them support.
Managed delivery service expands cities, access

Doorman, a startup managed delivery service that provides consumers with a secure space to pickup online deliveries, is making itself more available.

First, Doorman has expanded its service to Chicago and will soon enter the New York market. Doorman, which launched in San Francisco in 2013, also operates in the Bay area. Doorman deviates from the usual package delivery model by operating warehouses where online retailers can rent dedicated space for consumers to pick up their deliveries.
Facebook shoppers increasingly on the go

Purchases made via Facebook advertisements are more frequently occurring via mobile device.

According to new data released by the Facebook IQ marketing insights division, three in 10 purchase conversions from Facebook ads between January and May 2015 took place on a mobile device (24% on a phone, 6% on a tablet). During that same period, the frequency of mobile purchases increased 35%, according to Facebook IQ’s latest internal analysis.
Microsoft targets (Big) Apple with new flagship

Microsoft is opening its first Manhattan flagship store, with a major competitor conveniently nearby.
Toys ‘R’ Us makes holiday prep interactive
JDA looks south of the border for new excellence center

Retail enterprise technology provider JDA Software Group Inc. is increasing its 24x7 technical support capabilities for clients in North and Latin America.

JDA is opening a new Center of Excellence (CoE) in Monterrey, Mexico. The new facility is the fourth CoE, and the first in Latin America, operated by JDA to provide expert 24/7 support to more than 4,000 customers.