Retail Technology News: December update
December retail tech highlights included Snoop Dogg's new cannabis site.
Retailers in December 2024 focused technology efforts in areas including AI-based customer engagement, delivery drones, and celebrity-driven cannabis e-commerce.
Here are some of the most noteworthy and innovative technology stories as reported by Chain Store Age in December, starting with the most recent.
- Ulta Beauty lets customers try out hair colors, styles virtually with generative AI Ulta Beauty is releasing a new mobile app experience called GLAMlab Hair Try-On that lets users take a photo, upload a headshot or use a model’s picture to virtually see near-instant, realistic previews of how different hair colors and styles would look. The solution is based on the Nvidia StyleGAN2 generative AI model.
- David’s Bridal acquires video platform, launches media network David’s Bridal has acquired Love Stories TV, a video-focused digital wedding planning platform, and is introducing a new retail media network called Pearl Media Network. The moves are part of a strategic shift to make the retailer a "rising tech and media company.
- Ace Retail Holdings deploying new merchandising/POS platform Ace Retail Holdings, a division of Ace Hardware Corporation, has selected Mi9 Retail as its enterprise retail partner for merchandising and POS technology. This builds on years of an existing relationship in which Mi9 has been a partner to Ace Retail Holdings and its Westlake Ace chain.
- Taylor Swift, TikTok drive luxury resale trends in 2024 According to the fifth annual Clair (Comprehensive Luxury Appraisal Index for Resale) Report from Rebag, pop stars Taylor Swift and Charli XCX and the TikTok video-focused social media platform were major influencers on luxury resale during the past year.
- Bloomingdale's enhances online shopping thru DTC websites Bloomingdale’s has launched a partnership with Lucky that will enable luxury brands to seamlessly connect their direct-to-consumer (DTC) websites with its in-store inventory. Online shoppers can instantly check the availability of their favorite luxury products at their local Bloomingdale's stores while browsing their preferred brand's website.
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- Salesforce: Global online holiday sales hit $849 billion so far Global online sales for the 2024 holiday season (Nov. 1 - Dec. 14) reached $849 billion, a 4% year-over-year increase, according to data from Salesforce. In addition, Salesforce reported digital sales across Cyber Week (Nov. 28 – Dec. 2) reached $76 billion in the U.S., up 7% year-over-year, and $314.9 billion globally, up 6% year-over-year.
- Amazon develops next-gen delivery drone from ground up The brand-new Amazon MK30 drone underwent an aerospace design and verification process, can travel two times farther than Amazon’s previous drones, and is designed to be significantly quieter. Consumers living near Amazon's fulfillment center in Tolleson, Ariz. who purchase an eligible item can have an MK-30 drone drop off their purchase in 60 minutes or less.
- Albertsons personalizes online wine shopping with AI Albertsons Companies Inc. is utilizing artificial intelligence to make highly individualized direct-to-consumer wine recommendations. The grocery conglomerate is leveraging the Preferabli Sensorial AI platform to deliver a personalized experienced to customers shopping its Vine & Cellar Reserve direct-to-consumer wine platform.
- Lamps Plus AI-enables omnichannel forecasting Lamps Plus is leveraging artificial intelligence to improve forecasting and visibility into replenishment cycles. The regional specialty lighting retailer is deploying the Manhattan Associates demand forecasting and inventory optimization (DFIO) solution to upgrade demand forecasting and inventory management.
- Snoop Dogg opens cannabis-themed e-commerce site A rap and entrepreneurial icon is expanding his brick-and-mortar presence online. Snoop Dogg is extending his Smoke Weed Every Day (S.W.E.D.) marijuana dispensary and coffee shop concept online with a new e-commerce site, SWED.com.
