TECHNOLOGY

Online fashion retailer launches limited-edition beauty collections
Rue La La is bolstering its beauty sales by jumping into the beauty box category. The online apparel retailer is partnering with Conde Nast's Allure magazine to get the hottest beauty merchandise into shoppers’ hands. The team collaborated to create a series of one-of-a-kind boxes filled with products hand-selected by Allure's beauty experts and Rue La La's beauty buyers.
New company preps to relaunch the Bebe brand
The Bebe brand is undergoing a transformation — thanks to a new parent company. Global Brands Group Holding Limited, a leading branded apparel, footwear, and fashion accessories company — and a spin-off of global exporter Li & Fung Ltd., is partnering with the Bebe brand to relaunch a new e-commerce platform. In addition, the company will redesign the brand’s international brick-and-mortar stores to better meet the heightened shopping expectations of Bebe’s consumers.

CBRE: E-commerce still lacks traction in some retail categories

E-commerce has generated significant volumes of sales in the electronics and clothing industries, but has yet to gain traction in other retail sectors.
Amazon granted anti-showrooming patent

Despite the many sales that showrooming has afforded Amazon over the years, the retailer surely doesn't want to become a victim going forward.
Amazon re-launches Dash Wand — with new feature

Amazon is giving its Dash Wand a makeover — make that a “voice over.” The online giant has upgraded its Amazon Dash Wand with its artificial intelligence-based Alexa functionality. Extending Amazon’s signature virtual assistant Alexa beyond the Echo home speaker offering, the Dash Wand is described as the smallest and most inexpensive Alexa-enabled device, according to Geek Wire. The Amazon Dash
Judge rules supermarket chain must make web site accessible

Website accessibility is shaping up as the next big challenge for retailers with regards to ADA compliance. A Miami federal judge has ruled that Winn-Dixie violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by not making its website, which was recently updated, accessible to blind and visually impaired users, the Miami Herald reported. The Jacksonville, Florida-based supermarket chain has set aside $250,000 to revamp its online site and was ordered to pay the plaintiff’s legal fees, according to the report.
Who is cheaper: Costco or Amazon?

A new market study finds that Costco Wholesale Club's online prices are lower than Amazon's -- and not by an insignificant amount.
Amazon brings two-hour deliveries to Denver

Shoppers in Denver are getting their first taste of Amazon Prime Now. The service, which is exclusive to the online giant’s Prime members, provides free two-hour delivery on tens of thousands of items, from household and daily essentials to electronics, games and outdoor supplies. Area Prime members can order through Amazon’s Prime Now app, available on iOS and Android devices, Amazon’s web site, or “speak” orders to their Alexa device.
Electronics e-tailer expands global reach

Newegg is making a push to reach even more customers. The tech-focused retailer is extending its online global reach to dozens of countries in key parts of Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. Newegg’s expansion plan will ultimately help the retailer reach customers in a total of 50 countries, according to the company.
Retailers getting serious about artificial intelligence

A new survey suggests that retailers are ready to invest in artificial intelligence and other new technologies.