News

Walmart Pay undergoes big growth spurt
Walmart did not reach its stated goal of rolling out the Walmart Pay digital payment service to every store by the end of June, but it certainly made a lot of headway.
Home furnishings powerhouse debuts new store design
Pottery Barn unveiled a revamped interior at its newly designed store at The Village at Corte Madera, in Corte Madera, California. Inspired by a modern farmhouse, the 12,288-sq.-ft. location features dramatic high ceilings with exposed wood beams, a skylight in the center of the space, and 11-foot high steel framed doors that open to an outside seating area at the front of the store.

Report: J.C. Penney looks abroad for new tech center

The J.C. Penney Co Inc. is reportedly developing a new IT facility in a popular overseas location.
New York grocer reaches out to customers

With 15 regional stores, New York-based Fairway Market needs to compete with larger rivals on quality of experience. To that end, Fairway has deployed the omnichannel retail platform from Index to help better communicate with customers and provide an optimal experience across various touchpoints. The platform includes secure in-store payment solutions that offer processing flexibility and are compliant with EMV and P2PE protocols. Fairway can also accept a variety of tender types, including Apple Pay and Android Pay.
Specialty grocer commits to solar power

Mom’s Organic Market is extending its renewable energy portfolio. The family owned and operated Maryland-based chain has begun purchasing all power from a designated solar farm in Kingsville, Maryland., bundled with national solar renewable energy credits. This 1.5-megawatt DC system is projected to output 2,124,000 kilowatts per year. Mom’s will purchase the entire system's output for the next 20 years.
Pirch, New York City

Upscale kitchen, bath and outdoor appliance retailer Pirch has opened its largest location to date, a three-floor, 32,000-sq.-ft. flagship in an historic, former ironworks building in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood.
UPS, 7-Eleven offer seamless commerce assistance

Online retailers who want to offer physical pickup of their goods have a new option. Partnering with various retailers including 7-Eleven, UPS is expanding its “smart locker” program from nine locations in Chicago to 300 locations nationwide. UPS is adding 300 new Access Point locations nationwide. The lockers are usually outside and accessible 24 hours a day at convenience stores and other sites.
It's back .... Amazon Prime Day

Everyone knew Amazon Prime Day was coming, now we know when and how. Amazon will host its second annual summer sales blitz, known as Prime Day, on July 12. The online giant created the mega-shopping event, aimed at members of its Prime loyalty program, last year. It was held on July 15 and marked the retailer's 20th anniversary. Amazon said the event broke sales records that it previously set during Black Friday 2014.
Report: Visa sues Walmart over alleged PIN pilot

Wal-Mart Stores, which filed suit against Visa in May over debit card authorization, is getting taste of its own medicine.
Get ready: Kayne West’s next venture is retail stores

Adidas is doubling down on its relationship with Kanye West, the outspoken entertainer who doubles as a fashion designer. The German sportswear giant and West are expanding their very successful Yeezy brand via a new partnership called adidas + Kanye West. The Yeezy-branded collection will consist of footwear, apparel and accessories for all genders that will work across street and sport.