News

Charlottesville, Va. - Smartphones generated 19% of paid search clicks and 9% of search spend in second quarter 2014, while tablets produced 18% of clicks and 19% of spend. According to the Q2 Digital Marketing Report from RKG, which surveyed retailers in its client base, cross-device tracking surfaces 7% more orders overall, but 14% more smartphone orders.

While smartphones produce 12% of traditionally tracked conversions, they contribute nearly 25% of cross-device orders.

Dallas - Society Bakery is using the mobile Cartwheel Register checkout app from Tantrum Street to conduct transactions via smartphones and tablets. The app includes a back-end system offering reports such as costs, sales information, and item management, available both immediately via phone and emailed daily.

Society Bakery has improved ordering, checkout and reporting functions since rolling out Checkout Register.

Seattle – Amazon.com is reportedly readying a mobile credit card reader for release in August. According to 9to5Mac, the reader would compete directly with similar devices offered by Square and PayPal, and likely connect directly to Amazon’s recently released digital wallet app.

Grand Rapids. Mich. – Meijer is reportedly focusing on making its apparel, footwear and accessories assortment more appealing to fashion-conscious customers. According to the Detroit News, Meijer is taking steps including redesigning its stores, hiring outside consultants and launching a multimedia marketing campaign to improve the appeal of apparel and related categories.

Toronto – Staples Canada has launched its seasonal back-to-school center, Staples.ca/backtoschool, and a television and media campaign. The online center features tips for parents, teachers and students, and an e-marketplace.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Jerry Stephens has joined collaborative supply chain planning technology provider Market6 as VP, responsible for Market6's business with Kroger and their suppliers. Stephens joins Market6 from Dr. Pepper Snapple Group (DPGS) where he led DPSG's Kroger account team since 2011 and oversaw all aspects of sales, business development and strategic account planning.

By Charles Tendell, Azorian Cyber Security

So the news is out that Facebook is testing a new “buy” button designed to help businesses drive sales in News Feed and on Pages. This feature will let consumers click the “Buy” button on ads and page posts to purchase a product directly from a business, without leaving Facebook.

Washington, D.C. – The National Retail Federation (NRF), Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), Food Marketing Institute (FMI), Merchant Advisory Group, National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), National Grocers Association, and National Restaurant Association (NRA) are jointly calling for an open and universal tokenization standard in the U.S. payments system.