TECHNOLOGY

Tech Bytes: Four Tips for Pre-Holiday Prep
The back-to-school shopping season has barely ended. The east coast is still experiencing a smattering of 90-degree weather. The top trending Halloween costumes haven’t even been confirmed yet. But consumers don't care — for them, preparing their holiday shopping strategies are priority one. Note to retailers: it’s never too soon to follow their lead.
HSNi in a technology first
HSN has become one of the first retailers with a fully functioning augmented reality app for tablets and mobile devices. HSN has launched an augmented reality design app across two of its home and lifestyle brands in its Cornerstone portfolio: Frontgate and Ballard Designs. The technology, powered by augmented commerce provider Cimagine, allows users to virtually place desired objects in their own homes, and engage with more than 1000 home décor and furnishings.

Is Amazon looking to give Ulta a run for the money?

Amazon on Thursday announced that its Prime Now ultra-fast delivery service has added its first beauty store. Prime members in Chicago can now order beauty and personal care products from Merz Apothecary, a 100-years plus Chicago retail institution, and have the items delivered to their door in as little as one hour.
Study: Retailers get a failing grade with social customer care

How do industry observers rate retail social customer care? #EpicFail. The term social customer care refers to the quick and personalized customer service brands are expected to provide through social media once a customer engages with them to resolve an issue. To date, 92.5% of brands are failing to meet customers' social customer care expectations, according to the “Social Customer Care Report,” from Rational Interaction.
Department store takes a lesson from Pokemon GO! craze

Inspired by Pokemon Go!, Bloomingdale’s found a way to run with the idea of scavenger hunts. The department store retailer ran an in-store scavenger hunt based on Snapchat and geofilters, according to an article in Luxury Daily.
Report: Get ready for most demanding consumers in history

The first generation to grow up online — Gen Z— is also poised to rank as the most demanding consumer group in history.

That’s according to a new report from Fung Global Retail & Technology, which warns that retailers, restaurants and leisure companies will have to adapt to the wants and needs of Gen Zers (refers to those born in 2001 and later.
Startups Spotlight: Holograms Are Coming to a Store Near You

If you think holograms are a thing of the future, then the future has arrived. Innovative companies are developing solutions that leverage holographic displays to attract and engage distracted customers. Another startup is riding the customization bandwagon to deliver perfectly fitting denim, while still others are offering ways to improve your loyalty program, make in-store checkout as painless as possible, and deliver consumer insights that are fresh — not five months old.
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.
Flip-Flop Shops on the move

Flip Flop Shops is expanding in both the physical and online channels. The company, which was acquired by Cherokee Global Brands last year, is introducing a new “super kiosk” format. Measuring approximately 300 sq. ft. and built in the shape of a giant flip flop, the concept is slated for national rollout. It is designed to offer a nimble and novel format expansion to Flip Flop Shops’ retail presence.
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.