TECHNOLOGY

Study: Shopper average holiday spending beats 2015
The final shopping days of the holiday season are in full swing, and it is driving harried shoppers to open their wallets even wider. The average spend per gift is up 37% over last year, and men are spending roughly 20% more than women on average, according to new data from Loop Commerce, which evaluated purchases made through its network of top retailers including Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Coach, among others..
Best Buy Corp. extends commitment to teen tech training
More of the nation’s underserved teens will have access to free technology tools and training thanks to Best Buy. The chain plans to add nine new Best Buy Teen Tech Centers to its year-round support network in 2017. The announcement was made Tuesday, at the opening of Best Buy’s newest Teen Tech Center, in Denver, Colorado.

Six disruptive digital trends for 2017

Retailers will engage new channels, “geek up” their stores, and use technology to refine inventory management and anticipate customer desires in 2017. That’s according to Software AG, which released a list of six disruptive digital trends retailers must address in 2017. Here’s a recap:
Report: Big increase in holiday offers — and related costs

Retailers continue to launch digital deals this holiday season to snag new customers — but these efforts come at a price. Retailers’ promotional offers are eclipsing 2015 efforts. Customer orders using a promotion are up 34% versus 2015, and up 52% over the holiday season (Nov. 1-Dec. 5) versus 2015 in North America.
Fitch Ratings: U.S. retail sales to grow 3% to 4% in 2017

Retailers and restaurants in the United States won’t get any relief in 2017 in the battle to win customers. That’s according to Fitch Ratings' Outlook report, which says that retailers will continue to face a competitive environment in 2017 as they navigate changing customer preferences.
Publix comes out on top again

A Florida-based supermarket company tops J.D. Power’s 2016 U.S. Pharmacy Study. Publix Pharmacy, the in-store pharmacy at Publix Super Markets, came out on top in the J.D. Power report, a customer satisfaction benchmark study that provides pharmacy-specific performance comparisons among brick-and-mortar pharmacies.
Sales and Coupons Remain Most Successful Tactic in Driving Holiday Shoppers to the Store

Holiday 2016 is proving to be both an opportunity and a challenge for retailers, as they’re faced with catering to the behaviors and preferences of multiple generations of shoppers. It’s becoming increasingly clear that Generation Z (children ages 10-17) consumers have a significant and growing influence on household spending. And as a result, new trends are emerging this holiday season, including the record mobile app purchases we saw on Black Friday/Thanksgiving weekend.
Coffee giant brings social gifting to China

On the heels of announcing its ambitious expansion strategy, Starbucks is putting another project on its plate.
Neiman Marcus mirror helps shoppers ‘reflect’ on makeup applications

Women have long struggled with how to recreate a look from a department store’s makeup artist. Neiman Marcus is now streamlining the task through its newest interactive mirror.
Ten Brands to Watch in 2017

Brand-building consultant Denise Lee Yohn has released her annual “Brands to Watch” list for 2017. There are 26 companies on the list, with retail and social media brands accounting for 10 of the spots. Here’s a review: Barnes & Noble. The venerable bookstore chain has let its CEO go, lowered sales expectations, and shrunk its footprint by dozens of stores. Meanwhile Amazon Books is opening stores. Is 2017 the year B&N’s death will become imminent?!