TECHNOLOGY

Mass merchandiser giant launches ‘perks’ program
Target shoppers will be doing real cartwheels next time they launch their discount app.

The mass merchandiser quietly launched an experimental customer loyalty program that allows shoppers to rack up points during store visits. Called “redperks” on the company’s Website, the program rewards Target shoppers with 10 points for every dollar spent in stores. Once shoppers hit 5,000 points, they can choose their reward.
Report: Amazon claims top spot in social ranking
The real retailer winners are those that truly “listen” to their customers, and then use learned details to motivate consumers to shop. By perfecting this practice, Amazon.com has earned the highest amount of mentions and awareness across social networks, and Tiffany & Co. was the most passionately and positively discussed brand.

Study: e-gifts are on the rise

When mobile shoppers care enough to send the very best, they trade Hallmark cards in favor of digital gift cards.
Tech Bytes: Note to retailers: Time to make the shift to unified commerce

It happens all the time. A customer goes on a shopping spree, gets home and checks email — only to find a valuable promotion for a store she just left. In an era when time-starved customers are more digitally-savvy than ever before, retailers need to step up and manage a brand in total versus managing separate channels if they want to maintain loyalty.
Home furnishings brand bolsters live customer service

Digital retailing is on the rise, but sometimes you just need to speak to a human being.

Online home furnishings retailer Wayfair is making this task even easier for its growing customer base with the opening of a new customer service center in Bangor, Maine. The facility will employ 450 full-time customer service positions, a workforce that will reinforce an already-reputable retail experience among its rapidly growing customer base.
Chipotle in drone test — on a college campus

Chipotle Mexican Grill is going to test delivering burritos by drones.

The Mexican fast-casual brand has teamed up with Project Wing, a unit of Google’s parent company Alphabet Inc., to deliver the items to a select group of students and employees at Virginia Tech, USA Today reported.

The test will last a few weeks, the report said, with the drones delivering the food with a winch.
Survey: Social media driving shopping decisions

Thirsty for meaningful brand interactions, consumers are turning to social media more regularly.

While it’s still largely used for socializing and product discovery, social media is increasingly influencing consumer purchasing decisions, according to “Shopping’s Social Influence,” a new report from digital advertising and analytics firm Adlucent.
Home goods retailer offers private label, co-branded credit cards

As retailers industry-wide search for the ideal customer engagement program, Williams-Sonoma is getting back to basics.
Target kicks off NY Fashion Week with song

Target Corp. is putting out the red carpet for the opening of New York Fashion Week. The retailer, in partnership with IMG, the parent company behind Fashion Week, opened a temporary sing-a-long piano lounge at The Park at Moynihan Station (on West 33rd Street), one of the official NYFW venues. It kicked off the fashion event with an opening party that drew such luminaries as Queen Latifah, Christie Brinkley, and Kendall Jenner.
Sandwich chain makes talent acquisition to bolster digital presence

A pioneer in mobile ordering and payment capabilities, Subway is making a bold move to keep its digital strategies innovative.