MOBILITY

Amazon is upping its restaurant delivery program in a move to add some of the nation's best-known chains to its menu.   Olo, a New York-based food delivery service, announced that it is integrating Amazon Restaurants’ delivery service into its ordering platform. The collaboration potentially gives the online giant access to 200 restaurant brands, including Chipotle, Denny’s, Five Guys Burgers & Fries and Jamba Juice, among others.    

Target Corp. is making it easier for customers to find their way around its stores — and to quickly find what they are looking for.   The chain is integrating beacon and Bluetooth technology into its mobile app. It will show the shopper’s location in real-time on the app's map as they move about the store, and display nearby Cartwheel deals. Shoppers will also be able to find an item on the map through their digital shopping list.  

If traditional supermarket retailers want to become online destinations for grocery, they need to step up their digital shopping experiences.   In fact, shoppers rated their overall satisfaction ordering food and grocery items online highest with Amazon (4.63 on a five-point scale where five is highest), followed by Walmart (4.41). Supermarkets/food stores trailed behind with a rating of 4.32.  

Wayfair now allows Apple iOS 11 users to visualize 3D furniture and décor in their home before they buy it.   The furniture e-retailer’s “View in Room 3D” app is now available on Apple’s on iOS 11 platform. Supported by Apple’s ARKit augmented reality technology, the app is now accessible on iPhones and iPads.   

Aldi is making it easier for customers to pay for purchases.   The fast-growing deep-discount grocer now accepts all forms of contactless payment, including Apple Pay, Google Wallet and Android Pay. All options are available across Aldi’s nearly 1,700 stores nationwide.   Shoppers can pay for their groceries by tapping their contactless-enabled bank card, smartphone or other wearable device on a dedicated payment terminal.   

Eager to get merchandise into shoppers’ hands the same day they place an order, 65% of retailers will offer same-day delivery within two years.   This was according to the “2017 Digital Commerce Benchmark Survey,” from Boston Retail Partners (BRP).   

A new payment option will help Williams-Sonoma tap a new customer segment.   The home goods retailer will soon accept the peer-to-peer money-transferring service Venmo for bridal registry purchases. The digital wallet lets users make digital payments — or split payments with other users, according to ReCode.  

An 80-year-old fashion magazine is using technology to bring the fashion, beauty and entertainment featured on its glossy pages to life.