TECHNOLOGY

Forecast: Holiday sales to be impacted by ‘lackluster’ wage growth
One of the first holiday quarter sales forecasts is out of the gate. Global retail consulting firm Kantar Retail predicts that U.S. retail sales will grow 3.7% in the fourth quarter of this year. The forecast represents an improvement relative to weak growth of only 2.9% in the year ago period. But it is underwhelming compared to average growth prior to the recession of 5.0%, according to Kantar.
Women’s apparel retailer accepts mobile payments from Chinese shoppers
Rebecca Minkoff is making it easier for Chinese customers to purchase from the brand. Through a partnership with Chinese online payment provider Alipay, upscale apparel retailer now enables Chinese shoppers to use their Alipay Mobile Wallet to make purchases at any United States-based Rebecca Minkoff store, or while shopping online. The mobile wallet is accepted in all Rebecca Minkoff stores located in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

One Kings Lane puts down physical roots

Online home furnishings and decor retailer One Kings Lane is making its temporary foray into brick-and-mortar retail more permanent. The retailer opened its first-ever physical location, a seasonal pop-up in the posh resort town of Southampton, New York, at the beginning of summer. But the company said the response to the temporary store was so positive that it has decided to make it a permanent space.
Online giant to open machine learning hub in Barcelona

Amazon is stepping up its commitment to machine learning. The online giant plans to open a new research and development (R&D) hub in Barcelona, dedicated to machine learning. Amazon expects to open the lab in early 2018, according to The Verge. Amazon plans to hire more than 100 engineers and scientists for the lab.
Target in aggressive marketing effort for exclusive brands

Target Corp. is launching an array of private brands and the discounter is giving them a big kickoff. The discounter will launch an aggressive marketing campaign for the new labels, AdAge reported, including everything from print and television spots to in-store events and visual merchandising.
Postmates launches new subscriber perk — no more delivery fees

Postmates just made a strategic move in the online delivery war. Knowing that delivery fees can exceed the cost of a food order, the on-demand app-based delivery provider has killed delivery fees for orders over $20. This decision entitles Postmates Unlimited subscribers to free delivery for orders placed with any of its 250,000-plus merchant partners. Postmates members pay a $9.99 monthly subscription fee.
Discount giant adds another massive ‘Pickup Tower’

Walmart’s self-service kiosks that cater to online order in-store pickups have hit Nevada. The discount giant has added a 16-ft. “Pickup Tower” at its Las Vegas Walmart Supercenter. The tower is the first machine to be installed on the West Coast, according to Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Report: The cities that line up with Amazon's headquarters criteria are...

It didn't take long for cities across North America to throw their hat in the ring when Amazon announced it had initiated a search for a city in which to build a second headquarters. In seeking proposals, Amazon laid out some very definite criteria, including population requirements (one million or more). CNBC examined the criteria and suggested that five cities are worthy of a close look by Amazon: New York, Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco and Boston.
Former NRF exec joins Aptos as retail strategist

Aptos has tapped an industry veteran to assist retailers on their transformation journeys. The retail technology solution provider has named Vicki Cantrell as its retail transformation officer. In this newly created position, she will oversee Aptos functions for business consulting and strategy, value engineering, and strategic account management. Cantrell will also leverage her retail background to advise and support Aptos customers as they reinvent their businesses for omnichannel growth, profitability and customer loyalty.
Williams-Sonoma going on hiring spree

Williams-Sonoma is looking for a few good people — somewhere in the vicinity of 4,000 to be more exact. The company will hold its first-ever National Hiring Day, on Thursday, Sept. 14, from 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. local time. The event will be held at all Williams-Sonoma branded stores across the U.S. and Canada.