TECHNOLOGY

Coming soon to Nordstrom — cars
The nation’s highest-profile electric car-marker is taking an unusual route to get its product out in front of potential customers.
Digitizing the Storefront: Brick-and-mortar as the catalyst for omnichannel retail
For the retail industry, the storefront has taken on an entirely new meaning. The brick-and-mortar store is no longer the end-all-be-all in retailing, but the hub or pivotal point for a much larger movement – omnichannel retailing. Currently, traditional retailers compete for everything from having enough shelf-space, to engaging customers and bringing them into their physical store to make the final sale.

Restaurant brand teams up with Accenture in digital initiative

Quick-serve giant Subway restaurants has launched a new division, Subway Digital, to transform its customer experience. Created in collaboration with Accenture, the new division has been charged with building a comprehensive omnichannel strategy and implementation support team to enhance engagement and build loyalty.
Jo-Ann Stores names veteran exec to omnichannel marketing post

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores is promoting Chris DiTullio to senior VP, marketing and omnichannel.

While at Jo-Ann, DiTullio has served as interim senior VP, marketing; VP, e-commerce and omnichannel; VP, marketing and advertising; VP, inventory management; and director, merchandise planning.
Sephora extends shopping capability

Sephora is taking the next step in social commerce.

According to Mobile Commerce Daily, the specialty beauty chain is enabling customers to make purchases from products featured on its Snapchat feed via the ShopStyle mobile app.

Click here to read more.
NRF: Consumers will remember Dad this year

Anyone who is a dad, or sells products dads like, may be in for a happy Father’s Day.

According to a new survey from the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insight and Analytics, consumers say they will spend more than ever on Father’s Day in 2016 (Sunday, June 19). Shoppers are expected to spend an average $125.92 for the holiday, up 9% from the prior year’s $115.57. Total spending is expected to reach $14.3 billion, the highest in the survey’s 13-year history but still below the 2016 Mother’s Day total of $21.4 billion.
Merchandise with Meaning

Image Courtesy: news.nike.com
Signet Jewelers fires back on ‘diamond swapping’ controversy

Signet Jewelers Ltd., whose store banners include Kay Jewelers and Zales, issued a strong rebuttal against charges that its stores swapped customers’ gems for lesser-quality stones while they were in for service. The controversy started with an article by BuzzFeed about a Maryland woman who said her engagement ring — purchased at a Kay Jewelers store — had its diamond swapped out for a lower-quality manmade stone while in for service. The story quickly went viral on social media.
Seven Customers Retailers Should Know

Retailers are fighting to engage customers and keep them from going elsewhere. And smart retail marketers know that nurturing existing customers to increase lifetime value is the fastest, highest-ROI route to near-term revenue growth.
Survey: What social platform influences back-to-school shoppers?

The current school year is just ending, but consumers are already looking ahead to the fall.

According to a new survey of 300 U.S. adults who plan on leading their families’ back-to-school shopping efforts from social engagement firm CrowdTap, blogs and social media conversations rival traditional advertising formats (e.g. magazine circulars and TV ads) when it comes to what drives back-to-school purchases.