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When connecting with retailers, consumers are warming up to more complex and emerging technologies.   Retailers are starting to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and voice technology into communications with shoppers — and consumers are increasingly receptive. In fact, 79% of shoppers have used text, messenger apps or voice devices, and 74% indicated they have used live chat when shopping.  

Fort Worth-based Trademark Property Co. has launched fundraisers at its properties in Texas to aid victims of Hurricane Harvey. Proceeds will be distributed via United Way, which is waiving all general and administrative fees in the arrangement with Trademark.   Tenants, financial partners, customers, and the community are being engaged in events, and Trademark has pledged to match up to $150,000 in donations. Miller Capital Advisory has pledged a matching donation total of $50,000 for fund collected at La Palmer in Corpus Christi. 

Walgreens Boots Alliance secured regulatory approval for a deal to buy stores from Rite Aid Corp. after a reduction in the number of stores and price. The deal will still enable Walgreens to dramatically increase its store footprint, giving it a total of about 10,000 U.S. locations.   

Consumers continue to make the majority of their purchases at the physical store. However, their constant connectivity to the cloud through smartphones, laptops, tablets and smart watches — combined with the popularity of e-commerce — is redefining their expectations of the ideal in-store experience. Today, consumers want the same convenience, personalization and simplicity they’ve grown accustomed to online.    

Walmart is changing the way it stocks merchandise in its small-format Neighborhood Market Stores.     In a blog on its website, the discounter announced that in more than 430 of its Neighborhood Market stores that are already closed overnight, it is shifting overnight stocking hours to the daytime and using technology to make the inventory management process easier. The retailer said it initially piloted day-stocking in 50 stores in and around the Tampa and Dallas areas with "very encouraging" results. 

Grocers that offer digital resources on e-commerce sites are positioned to attract, convert and retain online customers going forward.   This was according to “Beyond the Supermarket Shelves: How Consumers are Navigating the Grocery Shopping Experience Online and In-store,” a report from PowerReviews.  

With its transformation deemed complete, Best Buy is looking for solid gains in profits and sales during the next several years. It also sees expanded opportunities for growth in new smart home initiatives.  

Social media plays a huge role — bigger than pricing — when it comes to influencing the purchase decisions of Generation Z.   

Walmart customers that receive government assistance can now shop for food online.    The discount giant is allowing customers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — the formal term for food stamps — to place online orders. However, the program does come with one loophole.  

There's been a changing of the guard at Dollar Tree as the man who grew the chain into a $22 billion retail powerhouse moves on to a new role.    The discounter has appointed Gary Philbin, enterprise president, as CEO, effective immediately. He succeeds Bob Sasser, who will become executive chairman of Dollar Tree's board.