News

Microsoft, New York City
Microsoft made its Manhattan debut with a 22,369-sq.-ft. flagship on Fifth Avenue — its largest location to date.

Six years in the making, the store puts a spotlight on the software giant’s ever-expanding product line, and boasts the first-ever in-store display for Microsoft Surface Hub.
Walmart COO says ‘trust me’ this holiday season
Easier shopping every day is the value proposition Walmart touting this holiday season as it contends shoppers are tired of pricing games played by other retailers.

As it does every holiday season, Walmart claims it will have low prices on a broad assortment and the hottest holiday items, but it is also touting an improve store experience and a strengthened omnichannel approach.

Online fashion retailer upgrades omnichannel experience

For pure play retailers, having the right digital commerce platform is absolutely critical.

San Francisco-based digital fashion retailer ModCloth is ensuring that it can support the kind of unified omnichannel shopping experience that will bring customers back and support global expansion initiatives.
Report: TV commerce has new player

Apple TV reportedly has a formidable new rival in the emerging channel of TV commerce.

According to GeekWire, Amazon is providing direct purchase capabilities through its Fire TV devices, without fanfare. A pilot has been underway for about two weeks, with sources indicating performance so far has exceeded expectations.
5th straight quarter of comp growth for Build-A-Bear

Build-A-Bear Workshop logged an increase in same store sales in the third quarter even as the company enters what is historically its most profitable season.

Same store sales at the specialty retailer increased 2.1% in the third quarter ended Oct. 3. This was the fifth consecutive quarter it grew same store sales.
Lowe’s brings projects to life with new Holoroom

Lowe’s is giving customers a full 3-D view of their home projects, at home as well as in the store.

Lowe’s Innovation Labs, the retailer’s proprietary technology development center, is updating its Holoroom technology and expanding its availability. Partnering with virtual reality technology provider Oculus VR and Google, Lowe’s has upgraded its Holoroom feature, which lets customers visualize how they could use tools and materials sold at Lowe’s.
Social shopping arena gets more crowded

Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube have some new competition as social commerce tools.

Visual commerce provider Curalate is releasing Curalate Reveal, a new solution enabling consumers to discover and shop products by clicking on images in blogs. Thus retailers can create shopping experiences on their own blogs or blogs of key influencers.
Fifth straight quarter of comp growth for Build-A-Bear Workshop

Build-A-Bear Workshop logged an increase in same-store sales in the third quarter even as the company enters what is historically its most profitable season.

Same-store sales at the specialty retailer increased 2.1% in the third quarter ended Oct. 3. This was the fifth consecutive quarter it grew same-store sales.
QVC unveils latest shopping channel

Home shopping retailer QVC is going to enter consumer homes via a new device.

QVC is launching an app for Apple TV. Customers will be able to make purchases directly through Apple TV with a click of the remote, as well as search for products. QVC for Apple TV will be available in the U.S. immediately upon the release of the Apple TV, with the U.K. and Germany to follow in the coming weeks.
Columbus discovers new mobile payment service

Consumers in Columbus, Ohio, are being given a new option for mobile payment.

CurrentC, the mobile payment application from retailer-backed consortium Merchant Commerce Exchange, is now being piloted at stores in Columbus. Major retailers currently participating in MCX include Walmart, Sam’s Club, Sears, Target, CVS and Kmart.

MCX briefly announced the Columbus beta test on the CurrentC webpage, with few details. Reuters reports that 12 major retailers are testing the service at 200 store locations, and the test may be expanded in early 2016.