TECHNOLOGY

Target gets in bed with popular mattress-in-a-box brand
An online start-up has turned to a traditional retailer to help grown its brand. Target Corp. has entered into a partnership with Casper, an online brand credited with disrupting the mattress category. Target will start selling the brand’s mattresses and other products, including a few exclusive items, beginning on June 18.
Study: Innovation will drive the unified shopping experience
E-commerce or brick-and-mortar retail environments continue to merge, and retailers are in the hot seat to optimize the customer experience. As a result, the need to adopt innovative technologies to engage shoppers has never been stronger. This was according to the “2017 Customer Experience/Unified Commerce Benchmark Survey” from Boston Retail Partners.

Graduation spending to hit record high

Some good news for retailers: Consumers plan to spend more than ever on graduation gifts this year as they stuff greeting cards with gift cards and cash. That’s according to the annual survey by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. With more consumers buying for graduates this year – 36% compared with 34% in 2016 – total spending is expected to reach $5.6 billion. That’s the highest number in the survey’s 11-year history, topping last year’s previous record of $5.4 billion.
Report: Amazon exploring entering pharmacy market

Amazon may have its sights set on a new, multi-billion dollar market. The online giant may be on the cusp of entering the pharmaceutical dispensing business, according to a report by CNBC. The company reportedly has hired a general manager whose role is said to be helping the online retailer explore how to hang a pharmacy shingle.
Lidl to make U.S. debut June 15—with low, low prices

German discount grocer Lidl is set to shake up the competition with prices that promise to turn up the heat on its U.S. competitors, who are already engaged in a price war. Lidl on Wednesday revealed the locations of the first 20 stores it will open this summer in the United States, starting on June 15. (See end of story for listing). The stores — in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia — are the first of up to 100 locations the grocer plans to open across the East Coast by next summer.
Fast-food giant’s delivery service expands

More hungry customers can now get their Big Macs, fries, beverages and desserts delivered right to their door. As of Wednesday, May 17, McDonald’s is expanding its delivery service to customers in Los Angeles, Chicago, Columbus and Phoenix. Through its partnership with UberEats, the company’s “McDelivery” program now encompasses up to 1,000 restaurants in the United States.
Received a favorite Mother’s Day gift? Thank a chatbot

This year, consumer spending for Mother's Day was on pace to reach a record high. According to the National Retail Federation's annual study, shoppers were set to spend $23.6 billion, spending an average of $186 per mom. And everything from flowers, gift cards and clothing to jewelry, personal services and consumer electronics were on shopping lists. But did all that shopping land the perfect gift?
Apple launches new store initiative

Apple wants to give its shoppers more reasons to visit its stores than to make a purchase or visit the Genius Bar.
Study: Handbags, purses, personalization top Mother’s Day

While handbags and purses have historically been considered a “risky gift,” times are a’ changin.’ In fact, handbags and purses were the most popular gift for Mother’s Day 2017, representing six of the top 10 gifts for the holiday. Overall, the accessories category led the top gifts purchased for Mother’s Day, according to data from Loop Commerce. Results were based on sales made on the company’s GiftNow platform.
Online home furnishings retailer delves deeper into AI

Wayfair is streamlining the way its shoppers navigate its vast online catalog as they search for specific looks. The retailer launched “Search with Photo,” a new feature that leverages artificial intelligence to make it easier for shoppers to find their desired furnishings. Shoppers can now simply snap a photo to find and purchase specific products that match the looks they see and love.