News

McDonald’s accepts Softcard mobile payments in U.S.
Oak Brook, Ill. -- McDonald’s is collaborating with mobile commerce provider Softcard. Customers will now be able to tap and pay both in-restaurant and in the drive-thru lane at all U.S. McDonald’s locations, marking the largest deployment of NFC-based mobile commerce in drive-thru.
Aeropostale launches collection with social media stars
Aeropostale has jumped on the social media band-wagon big time this fall. The company has partnered with popular Vine stars Nash Grier, Hayes Grier, Cameron Dallas and Carter Reynolds for a launch of the UNITED XXVI Collection.

The first-ever UNITED XXVI Collection launched October 25th, exclusively in Aeropostale stores nationwide and on Aeropostale.com. The collection was designed to appeal to “edgy and contemporary” customer and to illustrate the most important "Fashion Now" statements of each of the young men's lifestyles.

Tech Guest Viewpoint: Why Grocers are Getting ‘Fresh’ with Suppliers

By David Barach, Market6
Fresh fashion talent in Amazon Fashion competition

Amazon Fashion celebrated the next generation of gifted fashion designers and industry creatives in its Studio Sessions Competition in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The event brought together students from five participated schools – Fashion Institute of Technology, LIM College, Parsons School for the New Design, Pratt Institute and the School of Visual Arts.
CVS, Rite Aid disable Apple Pay

Woonsocket, R.I. –- CVS Health Corp. and Rite Aid. Corp., which have both used the near-field communication (NFC) technology that supports Apple Pay, have disabled their NFC payment systems to block Apple Pay from working in their stores.
Is the Future for Stores Getting Smaller?

By Jeff Weidauer, Vestcom International There’s been a lot of discussion in recent months about store sizes, in particular the fact that stores are getting smaller, primarily because of the impact of e-commerce. For example, Walmart and Target are both committed to offering smaller format stores.
Ulta Beauty’s upgrade to Oracle Commerce platform enhances omnichannel efforts

Redwood Shores, Calif. -- Cosmetics retailer Ultra Beauty has implemented Oracle Commerce to support growing e-commerce sales and deliver a consistent consumer experience across its more than 696 retail locations as well as mobile, web, guest services, and direct mail channels.
Shakira to collaborate with Fisher-Price

Fisher-Price, Inc., has partnered with a global pop star mom and a philanthropist Shakira and the Barefoot Foundation to create a web series for moms and co-develop a new line of Babygear and toys.
Lowe’s takes on Big Apple with small formats

Home improvement in New York is in for a new look in 2015 when Lowe’s opens two tiny stores in Manhattan.

Lowe's is coming to Manhattan to bring homeowners, renters and professional customers the products and services they need to maintain and improve their homes and businesses, the company said. Its two stores are slated to open in the second half of 2015 at 2008 Broadway at West 68th Street and 635 6th Avenue at West 19th Street.
Three Suggestions for Avoiding Automation Aberration

Sears and Amazon.com both recently came under fire for allowing rings decorated with the Nazi swastika symbol to be posted for sale on their third-party seller sites. While both retailers quickly pulled the items down and issued public apologies, they received a large amount of negative publicity and surely damaged their brand image with many offended customers, perhaps to the point of permanently losing some of them.