TECHNOLOGY

Lowe’s VR app spurs project planning
A home improvement chain is helping shoppers better envision how to design and build their homes. Though a partnership with Google, Lowe’s launched the Lowe's Vision app. Powered by Tango, a 3D technology developed by Google, the app leverages augmented and virtual reality to enable shoppers to begin planning their renovation needs before they even set foot inside a store.
Study: More pet owners are shopping online
Online retailing is changing the game for pet parents. Specifically, 40% of pet owners are opting to buy pet products online, up from 37% the previous year, and notably higher than results from 2014, according to U.S. Pet Market Outlook, 2017-2018. The report, from research firm Packaged Facts, highlights mergers and acquisitions, retail channel trends, and pet owner demographics and spending habits.

J.C. Penney checks into its newest business — hospitality

A department store chain is pursuing a new business opportunity. J.C. Penney now offers business-to-business solutions for operators and facility managers in the hotel and lodging industry, as well as the multi-unit residential industry. And the chain has a few categories that fit the bill.
Study: Automation puts millions of U.S. retail jobs at risk

Automation may be mission-critical to operational longevity in the retail industry, but it could be creating a significant pool of “stranded workers.” Six million to 7.5 million retail jobs likely will be automated out of existence in the coming years, leaving a large portion of the retail workforce at risk of becoming “stranded workers.” Retail cashiers are at highest risk for automation technologies, and women hold 73% of these positions.
So what do shoppers really want from technology?

As consumers become increasingly digitally influenced, retailers are struggling to find the right mix of technology to drive engagement.
Nike gets its footing — in the cloud

With its epic product launches, Nike’s digital channels can get unprecedented levels of interest and demand. And crashes are unacceptable. The athletic goods giant is on pace to hit $50 billion in revenue by 2020, a goal that Nike expects to hit with the support of its digital strategy, according to Mike Wittig, VP infrastructure, Nike.
Target gets in bed with popular mattress-in-a-box brand

An online start-up has turned to a traditional retailer to help grown its brand. Target Corp. has entered into a partnership with Casper, an online brand credited with disrupting the mattress category. Target will start selling the brand’s mattresses and other products, including a few exclusive items, beginning on June 18.
Study: Innovation will drive the unified shopping experience

E-commerce or brick-and-mortar retail environments continue to merge, and retailers are in the hot seat to optimize the customer experience. As a result, the need to adopt innovative technologies to engage shoppers has never been stronger. This was according to the “2017 Customer Experience/Unified Commerce Benchmark Survey” from Boston Retail Partners.
Graduation spending to hit record high

Some good news for retailers: Consumers plan to spend more than ever on graduation gifts this year as they stuff greeting cards with gift cards and cash. That’s according to the annual survey by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. With more consumers buying for graduates this year – 36% compared with 34% in 2016 – total spending is expected to reach $5.6 billion. That’s the highest number in the survey’s 11-year history, topping last year’s previous record of $5.4 billion.
Report: Amazon exploring entering pharmacy market

Amazon may have its sights set on a new, multi-billion dollar market. The online giant may be on the cusp of entering the pharmaceutical dispensing business, according to a report by CNBC. The company reportedly has hired a general manager whose role is said to be helping the online retailer explore how to hang a pharmacy shingle.