News

New York -- Target Corp. is enhancing the digital experience for its customers. The company is revamping its existing flagship app (with new versions for both iPhones and iPads) and its Cartwheel coupon app, and is also developing a new app for pharmacy, with rollouts scheduled for later this month. The retailer is also in the middle of updating its gift registry app.

New York -- Delivery Agent announced a deal with online retailer Overstock that will enable consumers with Smart TV and connected device homes to shop for items on Overstock directly from their television via Delivery Agent's ShopTV t-commerce platform.

Running now through Oct. 15, the "Overstocktober" campaign will enable viewers to buy products directly from Overstock television commercials.

By Jon Winsett, NPI

As we barrel towards the holiday season, few retail IT executives have as much time as they’d like to work on the challenges that will be waiting for them in first quarter 2015 — including limited funding for IT innovation. Retailers are projected to spend more in the coming year, but nearly three-quarters of that budget will be committed to maintaining the status quo. That leaves little to fund game-changing new IT initiatives that can drive competitive advantage, customer loyalty and profits.

Toronto -- Canadians are eager to embrace future-forward payment options like wearable devices and smartwatches, according to a new study by PayPal Canada that was conducted by Nielsen. Close to a third of Canadians (29%) have used their mobile phone to make an online purchase while on-the-go, and nearly a quarter (23%) having used their mobile phone in-person at a store to make a purchase.

Issaquah, Wash. -- Costco Wholesale Corp. on Wednesday reported fiscal fourth-quarter net income of $697 million, exceeding Wall Street forecasts, amid strong back-to-school sales and higher membership fees. The retailer reported net income of $617 million in the year-ago period.

Total sales for the quarter, ended Aug. 31, rose 9.3% to $35.52 billion, also better than expected.

Same-store sales rose 7% (excluding fuel).

Los Angeles -- Sephora, Express, Art of Shaving and Things Remembered are among the retailers using a new, in-mall mobile retail solution from StepsAway.

Reston, Va. -- Consumers have high expectations for retail care when shopping via mobile device, and if those expectations aren't met, they'll abandon the experience entirely, according to a new study from Contact Solutions. Fifty-one percent abandon the cart and close the app (lost purchase) when they struggle in a retail app, and 20% stop using the app entirely.

Sports Authority plans to hire 3,500 temporary employees across the country to meet consumer demand during the 2014 holiday season.

All Sports Authority locations will begin hiring this month and will continue until December. The specialty retailer added that it plans to convert hundreds of seasonal workers into permanent staff after the holidays.

Overstock has enlisted Delivery Agent for its first TV commerce campaign, called "Overstocktober," which will enable viewers from now through Oct. 15 to purchase products directly from Overstock television commercials.

The online retailer is leveraging Delivery Agent’s ShopTV t-commerce platform so shoppers with Smart TVs and connected device homes can purchase items on e-retailer’s site directly from their television.

Retailers have had a tough year when it comes to advertising prices. In January, a California court issued a multimillion dollar penalty against Overstock.com, after determining that the company advertised discounts in a misleading manner. Since then, retailers across a range of industries have been dragged into costly lawsuits and regulatory investigations involving similar issues. If you’re wondering how something as mundane as advertising the price of an item could lead to so much trouble it’s because the issue is more complicated than most people think.