News

With the Internet of Things (“IoT”) comes yet another technology-driven advancement that challenges businesses with promising opportunities and potentially vexing responsibilities. In particular, manufacturers and retailers who plan to sell (or are already selling) IoT devices increasingly face consumer questions about data security and privacy.

The PGA TOUR Superstore only operates 22 locations but it just signed a deal with the Golf Channel that should do wonders for brand awareness in a category that has proven challenging for mass market retailers.

Welcome to the new Retailing Today! We just relaunched our site and I wanted let you know about some of the changes, why we made them and what we didn’t change. Overall, our goal was to create a more reader-friendly site that presents our original content in a more compelling, visually engaging and accessible manner.

Redmond, Wash. – As part of its Windows 10 OS announcement earlier this week, Microsoft Corp. revealed it will be releasing a new holographic computer system called HoloLens that may offer retailers some interesting new ways to deliver an enhanced, seamless customer experience. HoloLens features see-through, holographic, high-definition lenses and spatial sound so users can see and hear holograms in the physical world around them.

San Francisco -- Schneider Electric and Autodesk are teaming up to advance building information modeling (BIM) technology and principles for building lifecycle management. As part of the collaboration, the two companies are exploring ways to complement each other’s strengths to make buildings more energy efficient, from the design and construction stage and continuing through operation and end-of-life phases.

Long Beach, Calif. – Epson has announced the addition of two new printers to the company's growing lineup of out-of-the-box ready solutions for mobile POS (mPOS) devices. Epson's cost-effective TM-T20II and its under-the-counter TM-T70II are MFi (Made for iOS) compliant with Bluetooth and equipped with simple WiFi setup capability.

By Matt Foster, Search Laboratory

The growth of mobile has made round-the-clock connectivity to the internet possible, allowing consumers to shop anywhere at any time. To cater for 24-hour convenience and on-the-go shopping, retailers are turning to innovative technology.

Cincinnati - Macy’s Inc. plans to relocate its West Sacramento, California-based direct-to-consumer fulfillment center to a larger facility in a nearby location in Sacramento County to support continued sales growth driven by its omnichannel strategy. Contingent on approvals by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, Macy’s will begin operations in summer 2015 at a 385,000-sq.-ft. facility, creating approximately 100 new jobs.

New York – Apparel retailer Cache Inc. is reportedly preparing to file for bankruptcy as early as the week of Jan. 26. According to Bloomberg, the 237-store chain is feeling the effects of reduced mall traffic and increased online and foreign-based competition.

In December, Cache said it was exploring options and had received an inquiry about a possible purchase. The company’s chief marketing officer also resigned that month. Cache previously filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1986 and came out of bankruptcy in 1988.

San Francisco - Mobile is increasingly influencing all stages along the shopper’s path-to-purchase for CPG items. New research from mobile audience intelligence firm NinthDecimal examines how mobile usage and marketing is transforming how shoppers interact with CPG brands.