TECHNOLOGY

Study: Despite slower adoption, e-commerce is making its mark in grocery
Click-and-collect boxed-meal delivery services are encouraging more customers to make online grocery shopping part of their weekly routine. Currently, 97% of all consumer-packaged goods (CPG) dollars are still being spent in brick-and-mortar retail stores. However, the popularity of click and collect boxed-meal delivery services has 28% of shoppers purchasing groceries online regularly.
Walmart installing automated vending machines for online order pickup
Walmart continues to explore new ways to make it easier for customers to pick up goods purchased online. The discounter is expanding its deployment of a giant self-service kiosk, which it calls a Pickup Tower, that spits out online orders to users of Walmart's buy-online-pickup-in-store service. Walmart debuted the technology last fall, in a store in Bentonville, Ark., close its headquarters.

Specialty retailer offers its own version of Prime Day

Sur La Table is inviting shoppers to its version of Black Friday in July. Replacing multiple smaller weekend sales that typically run throughout the month, the kitchenware retailer is introducing a one-day shopping event called “Lime Day.” The sale, which is set to launch on July 10, will feature more than 300 lime-themed items on sale for up to 75% off.
Tech Bytes: Four tips to compete on Prime Day

Amazon has brought the saying, “Christmas in July” to life with its Prime Day global shopping extravaganza and this year's event promises to be bigger than ever.
Target's CMO talks brands

Mark Tritton, Target’s executive VP and chief merchandising officer, discussed the retailer's new exclusive brands in a posting on the company's corporate website. Here are some key excerpts: What’s the inspiration behind these new brands?
Amazon gains huge foothold in Middle East

Amazon has completed its acquisition of e-commerce company souq.com, a leader in the Middle East's online shopping market. The deal, which was initially announced in March, closed for $580 million in cash, according to filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Target to debut four new brands

Target Corp. is doubling down on its efforts to distinguish itself with exclusive brands and to be a leader in two key categories. The discounter revealed in a posting on its web site that it will launch three new apparel brands and one new home goods brand in its stores and online this fall.
CSA Q&A: Tractor Supply CIO talks about success with BOPIS

For Tractor Supply Company, buy-online-pickup-in-store is proving a win-win, for both itself and its customers. With more than 1,600 stores in 49 states, Tractor Supply is the nation's largest operator of stores dedicated to a rural lifestyle. Online and offline, it offers a wide range of merchandise, from welders and generators to an-imal care products to men and women's workwear. Stores are typically located in towns outlying major metropolitan markets and in rural com-munities.
Specialty retailer steps up unified commerce efforts

Vitamin World’s commerce and supply chain operations are undergoing a digital transformation.
Nike in pilot with online giant

Nike is opening up shop on Amazon. The sportswear giant has entered into a pilot program with the online giant to sell a limited (at least initially) selection of footwear, apparel, and accessories on the online site. Nike products have long been available on Amazon, but only through unauthorized third party sellers. This will be the first time that Nike has sold directly on the Amazon.