TECHNOLOGY

Target pairs associates with digital experts in 'innovation sprint'
Target Corp. has kicked off a partnership with BCG Digital Ventures to conduct a 14-week “innovation sprint.” For the project, BCG's experts (including designers, engineers and investors) are working side-by-side with five Target associates to develop new growth concepts and ideas. (The associates are middle managers from across Target's various divisions, reported the Star Tribune.)
America's most trustworthy brand is...
Face-to-face human contact is not necessary for a brand to make a strong connection with consumers.

Study: Majority of grocery sales are digitally driven

Digital's influence on grocery overall has nearly doubled year over year, and is now impacting the in-store experience.
Amazon rings up $500,000 in grocery sales in one week following Whole Foods Market deal

It only took seven days for Amazon to begin reaping the benefits of its acquisition of Whole Foods Market.
Online giant preps for Indian version of Prime Day

Amazon is getting ready to host its fourth-annual flagship sale in India. The online giant is gearing up for its “Great Indian Festival,” an event similar to Amazon’s Prime Day sale. Amazon is banking on the sale’s deep discounts, exclusive merchandise and buyback offers to attract new customers, according to Live Mint.
Walmart pledges up to $30 million in hurricane relief, Target raises commitment

Walmart is stepping up its hurricane relief efforts. The discount giant announced that it will donate up to $10 million in additional support for 2017 hurricane relief efforts in the United States, a move that will bring Walmart’s total commitment to hurricane relief efforts this year to $30 million. This additional support comes on the heels of donations already provided in response to Hurricane Harvey that hit the Gulf region less than three weeks ago.
Report: Mobile e-commerce sales to hit $250 billion by 2020

Mobile e-commerce sales will account for nearly half of all online commerce in just a couple of years. This was according to “A Mobile Mindset,” the second volume in the five-part series, “The 2017 UPS Pulse of the Online Shopper.” The report, from UPS, is based on input of over 5,189 comScore panelists who made at least two online purchases in a typical three-month period.
Survey: Physical stores still dominate U.S. grocery

Discount stores and traditional supermarkets are U.S. shoppers' most popular choices when it comes to buying food. At least for the time being. Nearly all — 99% — of adults buy some or all of their groceries in-person, according to a survey by the International Council of Shopping Centers. The immediate access to products (71%) and the ability to select fresh meat, dairy and produce (70%) were the top reasons driving in-store shopping, along with the ability to see all other items in person (69%).
Study: Millennials put a premium on store associates

Generation Y may be tech-savvy, but for many, store employees still play a pivotal role in their overall shopping experience. In fact, 63% of shoppers aged 18-35 see store associates as extremely important to their retail experience, according to the “Store Associates Report,” from ChargeItSpot. The study is based on responses from more than 600 shoppers at malls across the country.
Nordstrom debuts service-focused store with no inventory

As retailers consider how to best use their physical spaces in a digital world, Nordstrom is going "local," debuting a small-format retail concept that offers all sorts of personal services, but has no dedicated inventory.