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  • How Target, Loblaw keep up with the connected consumer

    Two leading retailers highlighted different aspects of their digital customer experience efforts at the recent SAP Retail Forum in Miami.

    Keri Stelle, director, Target Technology Services, said Target Corp. is trying to modify its entire corporate culture to respond to changing needs of the new digital customer in a session titled, “Who is the Evolving Target Guest?”

    “It’s not just about Mom anymore,” said Stelle. “Today, the entire family wields influence over the retail purchase.”

  • Ikea takes sunny approach to Vegas store energy

    Ikea plans to install a solar energy system atop its Las Vegas store, opening summer 2016.

    Panel installation will begin this winter, with completion expected in spring for what Ikea says will be the largest single-use rooftop solar array by a retailer in the state of Nevada. The 351,000-sq.-ft. future Ikea Las Vegas, and 1,300 parking spaces, currently is under construction.

  • FedEx expects 12% increase in holiday shipments

    FedEx says a big boost in online shopping will propel its business between Black Friday and Christmas Eve at least 12.4% above 2014 levels.

    FedEx expects the holiday period to include three shipment volume spikes: Cyber Monday and the first two Mondays in December.

    The company said it was adding 55,000 employees for the holidays to handle the increased demand.

  • Study: Email marketers should play percentages

    Retailers sending email promotions may want to hold off on announcing deals that offer a specific number of dollars off the listed price.

    According to a new study of more than one billion marketing emails by retention marketing firm Retention Science, customers are more receptive to percent-off deals than dollar-off deals. Percent-off deals result in customers 38% more likely to click, and 47% more likely to convert when they were presented with a dollar-off offer.

  • Etsy brings the crafts to you

    Etsy is getting crafty with its customer service offerings.

    The online handmade arts & crafts marketplace is launching a home delivery pilot called Etsy ASAP in the New York market for the holidays. Patterning with on-demand delivery provider Postmates, Etsy ASAP enables same- and next-day delivery from participating sellers in New York City for a flat $20 fee.

  • Infographic: Moms go fully mobile

    Moms are now much more likely than ever to complete a purchase via mobile, rather than simply using their devices to compare prices and find coupons.

    According to a new infographic from pregnancy and parenting website BabyCenter, in just one year, there has been a 33% increase in moms using their smartphones for making actual purchases. Sixty-four percent of moms say they had completed a purchase via mobile in the last month, in comparison to 48% who said the same in 2014.

  • Tech Bytes: Three Thoughts on Social Retailing: SAP Retail Forum

    At the recent SAP Retail Forum held in Miami, I was part of a panel discussion titled, “Creating One Experience for the Digital Consumer.” Providing a consistent, integrated online and offline experience for digital shoppers is a multifaceted task that involves many platforms.

    A lot of my commentary focused on how social media in particular can prove a crucial asset in creating a unified digital customer experience. Here are three specific thoughts on social retailing pulled from the panel discussion.

  • Sleepy’s realizes EMV, NFC payment dream

    Sleepy’s, The Mattress Professionals is staying awake when it comes to the latest in consumer payment.

    The privately held specialty mattress and bedding accessories retailer has committed to upgrading to Ingenico Group smart terminals to securely accept EMV credit and debit cards and NFC/contactless mobile payments at all of its 1,000-plus stores by the end of 2015.

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