TECHNOLOGY

Amazon’s operations are shaping up Down Under
Amazon’s Australian online store is one step closer to launching. In addition to announcing the site of its first Australian warehouse, the online giant also named a German executive as its country manager. Both moves indicate that Amazon is preparing to launch its online store in the world's 12th-biggest economy, according to Reuters.
Bed, Bath & Beyond in workforce reduction
The ax has fallen at Bed, Bath & Beyond as part of the realignment of its .store management structure. The retailer said it has initiated in approximately half of its U.S. Bed Bath & Beyond stores and about a dozen of its buybuy Baby stores a limited realignment of its store management organization that will result in the elimination of about 880 department and assistant store manager positions.

Wayfair extends reach of its augmented reality app

A furniture e-retailer is putting its augmented reality-based app into more shoppers’ hands. Wayfair’s AR application, WayfairView, has been integrated into its mobile shopping app on the newly released ASUS ZenFone AR. The smartphone, which launched on Thursday, is equipped with Google’s Tango AR platform.
Amazon’s shoe business outpacing brick-and-mortar competitors

Amazon’s investments in the shoe business are paying off. While 2017 is not even close to over, it is shaping up to being a strong year for shoes on Amazon. The company has already experienced 18% growth year-over-year during the first two quarters, alone. For 2016, Amazon had a total of 35% year-over-year growth, according to a study by One Click Retail.
Job-seekers out in full force for online giant's multi-state job fair

Thousands nationwide turned out Wednesday for the chance to join Amazon’s growing workforce. The online giant hosted a multi-state job fair on Aug. 2, focused on hiring full-time and part-time associates for positions across nearly a dozen of its U.S.-based warehouses. The event had such a massive turnout that Amazon said it received "a record-breaking 20,000 applications,” according to CNBC. This is almost half of the 50,000 roles the company says it has available across its fulfillment network.
Saks to honor 80-year-old film icon (and her seven pals) for the holidays

Saks Fifth Avenue is partnering with Disney to celebrate the holidays. Saks' annual holiday window display at its New York City flagship on Fifth Avenue will be devoted to "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." The collaboration with Disney also includes special Disney-inspired fashion, accessories and giftable items created by premier designers and available across Saks' 41 stores in the U.S. and Canada, and Saks.com.
What do customers want from virtual shopping?

Virtual reality shopping is here and consumers — or at least the ones that are tech-savvy — are ready to use it. Seventy to eighty percent of "early tech adopter" consumers are eager to use virtual commerce technology to design rooms, customize products and shops with friends from across the globe, according to a study from L.E.K. Consulting.
More California Walmart stores add curbside grocery pickup

Walmart’s grocery pickup service is available to even more shoppers in the Golden State. The discounter introduced grocery pickup in 26 stores across Inland Empire, Los Angeles and San Diego, bringing the total number of stores statewide offering the service to 36 locations, according to The Orange County Register. Each store will designate parking stalls for shoppers to retrieve their groceries.
Q&A: Boxed co-founder talks about machine learning

Driven by the need “to solve problems for its shoppers,” Boxed is about to make it easier than ever for customers to reorder merchandise — without even having to think about it.
Now Trending: Eight clicks-to-bricks retailers to keep an eye on

Digitally native retailers are infusing the retail industry with something it can always use: new blood. Here are eight interesting newcomers to the physical space: Away