TECHNOLOGY

Fast-growing discount grocer expands analytics capabilities
Aldi has extended its partnership with Nielsen to gain more shopper and advertising effectiveness insight. Nielsen and Aldi announced an expanded multi-year relationship for integrated analytics data around shopper panel, custom retail analytics and advertising effectiveness. Under the agreement, Nielsen will be Aldi's preferred data and analytics provider, covering the chains' nearly 1,700 stores in 35 states across the U.S.
Chinese e-commerce giant in joint venture with Marriott
Alibaba Group Holding is expanding its online travel footprint.

Office supply giant jumps into same-day delivery

Office Depot is launching a same-day delivery program in three markets. The service, powered by Deliv, will be available on August 28 in Atlanta and Los Angeles, and on September 6 in Ft. Lauderdale/Miami. It is expected to be rolled out in several additional markets by the end of December.
Timberland unveils new experiential store format

Timberland has opened a new concept store that will be completely transformed with a new theme and products every six weeks.
Study: Even mature retailers miss the mark on unified commerce

Despite retailers’ efforts to deliver sophisticated shopping experiences, crucial gaps between digital and in-store touchpoints still exist. That's according to “The State of Omnichannel Commerce: A Mystery Shopping Study.” The report, from Kibo, assessed the personalization and omnichannel sophistication across 30 popular and growing retailers’ desktop, mobile and in-store buying touchpoints.
L.L.Bean bests Amazon in...

For the third straight year, L.L.Bean has beat out Amazon in a customer service ranking. The outdoor outfitter came out on top in Prosper Insights & Analytics’ annual review of service excellence among retailers, with Amazon a close second. Rounding out the top five; Lands’ End, Fingerhut, and Kohl’s.
Beleaguered brand making comeback

American Apparel’s website has been hinting about a summer relaunch for some time — now its parent company is making good its promise. Gildan Activewear, which purchased the specialty retailer at a bankruptcy auction earlier this year, is preparing to relaunch the brand’s e-commerce website, according to Bloomberg. However, this is only the first project on its list of retail plans.
FedEx pivots in holiday shipping charges — except in some instances

FedEx is giving its customers an early holiday gift — while taking a stab at its rival UPS. The delivery service announced that it will forego additional surcharges on deliveries this holiday season — unless packages require additional handling, are oversized or unauthorized. FedEx made the decision based on the growing volume of large packages moving through the FedEx Ground network during the holidays.
Report: Dunkin' Donuts trying on a new name

What's in a name? That's a question Dunkin' Donuts is wrestling with. In a move to get people to think of the chain more as a coffee destination, the company is considering eliminating "Donuts" from its name, according to several media reports. In a test, the chain will open a new location, in Pasadena, California, that will be simply called Dunkin'. Several other locations will also be given the condensed name.
Target retail tech accelerator alum makes good

One of the retail tech start-ups from the inaugural class of the Target + Techstars retail accelerator program is expanding.