TECHNOLOGY

Twitter is taking a new approach to “humanize” its business partners’ customer service-based “Direct Messages.”   Twitter’s new feature – “Custom Profiles in Direct Messages” – allows businesses to better emphasize the human element in private conversations, as well as more clearly indicate when a bot is speaking, according to Twitter.   

Nordstrom is taking new designers under its wing, and giving them some “space” for exposure.   On Tuesday, Feb 21, the department store chain launched “The Lab,” an incubator project that will showcase and support new designers in select stores and online.  

While Lidl has made clear its plans to expand to the U.S., many grocery retailers may not have expected it to make its stateside debut quite so soon. Recent reports that the chain will open its first stores on U.S. soil this summer, ahead of schedule, mean that the pressure is on for domestic grocery chains to determine how to react to their latest challenger.  

GNC Holdings plans to drive customer engagement by rewarding individual customers with targeted incentives.  

The Tori Richard brand is a staple in Hawaii, but it’s taking steps to expand sales across the continental United States.   A company founded as a women's wear brand 60 years ago in Honolulu, has since become an internationally recognized men's and women's resort wear brand available in its 17 stores and approximately 2,500 wholesale accounts, including in Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom. This breadth contributes to sales that span across the main-land U.S., Latin America, and Asia-Pacific. 

Amazon has again raised the stakes in the home shipping war.   Almost a year after raising its free shipping minimum for non-Prime customers from $35 to $50, Amazon subtly announced on its website that it is once again honoring free shipping on orders of $35.  

As retailers expand the breadth of their omnichannel operations, they need better visibility into their financial data.   This is not an easy task for retailers like Tailored Brands, whose expansive retail portfolio includes Men's Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank, Joseph Abboud, Moores Clothing for Men and K&G Fashion Superstore. The company also operates a global corporate apparel and workwear group consisting of Twin Hill in the U.S. and Dimensions, Alexandra and Yaffy in the U.K.  

Amazon’s new convenience store may not have cashiers, but a new product category will require someone to check shopper IDs.   Along with its sandwiches, salads and snacks, Amazon plans to sell beer and wine from its AmazonGo store in Seattle, Recode said.