TECHNOLOGY

Walmart throws its hat into the car sales ring
Walmart is adding a new category to its assortment: automobile sales. While the chain has always sold tires and accessories, a new partnership with CarSaver, an online auto retail platform, is allowing the retail giant to dip its toe into the car sales industry. The retail giant is setting up CarSaver kiosks at 25 Walmart superstores in Houston, Dallas, Phoenix and Oklahoma City.
Tech Bytes: NRF 2017: Evolve with disruptors to remain relevant
The trends featured at the annual NRF Convention & Expo never fail to get the tech juices flowing, and this year was no exception. Sessions and the expo floor illustrated how retail technology has changed dramatically in a very short time. However, the event also relayed a sobering message: the industry needs to greatly evolve to keep up pace with customer expectations, and remain relevant in the long-term.

Keeping Doors Open: Starting From the Inside Out

Over the last decade, the retail industry has evolved substantially. E-commerce continues to outpace brick-and-mortar strategy, dramatically changing the way consumers shop. Accommodating new consumer preferences requires brands -- from corporate executives to field managers to in-store associates -- to communicate, and regularly evaluate the in-store customer experience.
Division of high-end chain rewards shoppers with Nordstrom Notes

Nordstrom is giving shoppers a new way to earn loyalty points. As of Friday, Jan. 20, Nordstrom Rewards members will earn points toward Nordstrom Notes when they use their Nordstrom credit and debit cards at the chain’s Trunk Club division, a personalized styling service for men and women, offering both virtual and in-person shopping options. Additionally, Trunk Club will waive its $25 home try-on fee when shoppers order curated trunks of clothing using their Nordstrom card.
‘Dash Button’ hits Amazon’s homepages

The device that allows Amazon shoppers to re-order their favorite items with a single click of their finger has a virtual alter-ego. The Dash Button is now an icon available on Amazon’s homepage and the retailer’s app homescreen, according to ReCode.
Texas to gain another Amazon fulfillment center

Everything is bigger in Texas — including Amazon’s breadth of fulfillment centers. The retail giant is planning its ninth Texas fulfillment center in Coppell, a move that will create 1,000 more full-time positions. The facility, which will be outfitted with state-of-the-art robotics, will be Amazon’s third located in Coppell. Amazon’s first Coppell warehouse began fulfilling customer orders in 2013; the second launched during the 2016 holiday shopping season.
Top 10 global consumer trends for 2017

Faster shopping and the transformation of old age are two of the trends identified by Euromonitor International on its annual report of the trends that will shape the consumer landscape this year. The “Top 10 Global Consumer Trends for 2017” report noted that 2016 was defined by uncertainty with growth in global consumer expenditure slowing to 2.4% in real terms – the lowest rate of growth since the financial crisis.
Target CIO Mike McNamara Talks Tech Transformation

Mike McNamara, chief information officer and digital office for Target Corp, was among the speakers this week at the National Retail Federation’s annual Big Show in New York City. McNamara described how Target’s technology team is leading the way on transformation. In the blog post below, which is on Target’s website, McNamara discusses the change he is leading, and some of the exciting technologies he saw at the Big Show:
Accenture in tech collaboration with Council of Fashion Designers

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Accenture are collaborating to help shape how the fashion industry integrates technology and consumer insights into its business practices. Combining the creativity within CFDA’s membership with Accenture’s expertise in customer experience, strategy, insights and technology, the two organizations will create talent-development programs for today’s designers and tomorrow’s retailers.
Sears taps AI to sell tires

Sears has a new strategy to help rebuild its brand and drive profitability: artificial intelligence. Eyeing relationships with its Sears Automotive customers, the embattled retailer is piloting its “Digital Tire Journey,” a web app that relies on IBM Watson to help shoppers buy tires. Unlike typical ecommerce websites that often rely on a drop-down menu of pre-selected tire terms, Sears’ artificial intelligence-based web app delves into the driving and lifestyle preferences of shoppers.