TECHNOLOGY

Discounter ups mobile game with in-store location technology
Target Corp. is making it easier for customers to find their way around its stores — and to quickly find what they are looking for. The chain is integrating beacon and Bluetooth technology into its mobile app. It will show the shopper’s location in real-time on the app's map as they move about the store, and display nearby Cartwheel deals. Shoppers will also be able to find an item on the map through their digital shopping list.
Target in major expansion of next-day delivery program
The delivery wars continue to heat up as Target Corp. announced it was rolling out its next-day delivery service of household essentials, Target Restock, to eight new markets.

Grocery giant to buy meal-kit company

Albertsons Cos. has become the first national grocery retailer to acquire a prepared-meals company. The nation's second largest supermarket chain is acquiring online meal company Plated in a deal that is expected to close later this month. The move taps into Americans' growing demand for meal delivery services and also shores up Albertsons' defenses against Amazon, which has become a key player in grocery with its acquisition of Whole Foods Market.
Amazon to embark on Big Apple hiring spree

Amazon is about to put down some new roots in New York City — and is hunting for new employees to support the operation.
Nothing scary about this forecast

There is good news for retailers in a just-released survey on Halloween spending. Americans will splurge on costumes, candy and pumpkins for a record $9.1 billion in Halloween spending this year, according to the annual survey released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. That's up 8.3% from last year’s previous record of $8.4 billion.
Furniture e-retailer extends AR shopping app

Wayfair now allows Apple iOS 11 users to visualize 3D furniture and décor in their home before they buy it. The furniture e-retailer’s “View in Room 3D” app is now available on Apple’s on iOS 11 platform. Supported by Apple’s ARKit augmented reality technology, the app is now accessible on iPhones and iPads.
FedEx to hike shipping rates by almost 5%

FedEx will have new shipping rates starting January 1, 2018. All subsidiaries, FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight, will increase their shipping fees by an average of 4.9%. The company is also imparting additional surcharges across other services. For example, FedEx Express shipping rates will spike by an average of 4.9% for U.S. domestic, U.S. export and U.S. import services. FedEx One Rate pricing will increase by an average of 3.5%.
Licensing agreement helps teen retailer expand into India

American Eagle Outfitters is entering an emerging global retail market. The teen retailer is preparing for its debut in India. American Eagle’s expansion will be supported through a multi-year license agreement with the Aditya Birla Group. The Indian conglomerate has an extensive retail portfolio, as well as strong digital and omnichannel capabilities. The first stores are expected to open in Mumbai and Delhi in Spring 2018.
Deloitte: Retail holiday sales to increase by at least 4%

An uptick in consumer spending could drive sales as high as $1.05 trillion this holiday season. Retail holiday sales should rise a healthy 4% to 4.5% over last year's shopping season — a factor that could drive sales between $1.04 trillion and $1.05 trillion between November 2017 and January 2018, according to the annual retail holiday sales forecast from the firm’s retail and distribution practices. (Holiday sales are seasonally adjusted, and exclude motor vehicles and gasoline.)
Report: Toys ‘R’ Us preps for a turnaround with ‘Project Sunrise’ plan

Looking toward the future, Toys ‘R’ Us’ CEO has established a recovery plan. In a meeting at Toys “R” Us’ pop-up store in Times Square, chief executive David Brandon outlined the company’s turnaround plan, internally called “Project Sunrise.” From a high-level, it includes integrating its online and in-store shopping experiences, adding faster shipping and better technology and customer service, according to Reuters.