TECHNOLOGY

Nordstrom debuts service-focused store with no inventory
As retailers consider how to best use their physical spaces in a digital world, Nordstrom is going "local," debuting a small-format retail concept that offers all sorts of personal services, but has no dedicated inventory.
Online giant preps for Indian version of Prime Day
Amazon is getting ready to host its fourth-annual flagship sale in India. The online giant is gearing up for its “Great Indian Festival,” an event similar to Amazon’s Prime Day sale. Amazon is banking on the sale’s deep discounts, exclusive merchandise and buyback offers to attract new customers, according to Live Mint.

Walmart pledges up to $30 million in hurricane relief, Target raises commitment

Walmart is stepping up its hurricane relief efforts. The discount giant announced that it will donate up to $10 million in additional support for 2017 hurricane relief efforts in the United States, a move that will bring Walmart’s total commitment to hurricane relief efforts this year to $30 million. This additional support comes on the heels of donations already provided in response to Hurricane Harvey that hit the Gulf region less than three weeks ago.
Report: Mobile e-commerce sales to hit $250 billion by 2020

Mobile e-commerce sales will account for nearly half of all online commerce in just a couple of years. This was according to “A Mobile Mindset,” the second volume in the five-part series, “The 2017 UPS Pulse of the Online Shopper.” The report, from UPS, is based on input of over 5,189 comScore panelists who made at least two online purchases in a typical three-month period.
Survey: Physical stores still dominate U.S. grocery

Discount stores and traditional supermarkets are U.S. shoppers' most popular choices when it comes to buying food. At least for the time being. Nearly all — 99% — of adults buy some or all of their groceries in-person, according to a survey by the International Council of Shopping Centers. The immediate access to products (71%) and the ability to select fresh meat, dairy and produce (70%) were the top reasons driving in-store shopping, along with the ability to see all other items in person (69%).
Online giant to open machine learning hub in Barcelona

Amazon is stepping up its commitment to machine learning. The online giant plans to open a new research and development (R&D) hub in Barcelona, dedicated to machine learning. Amazon expects to open the lab in early 2018, according to The Verge. Amazon plans to hire more than 100 engineers and scientists for the lab.
Target in aggressive marketing effort for exclusive brands

Target Corp. is launching an array of private brands and the discounter is giving them a big kickoff. The discounter will launch an aggressive marketing campaign for the new labels, AdAge reported, including everything from print and television spots to in-store events and visual merchandising.
Postmates launches new subscriber perk — no more delivery fees

Postmates just made a strategic move in the online delivery war. Knowing that delivery fees can exceed the cost of a food order, the on-demand app-based delivery provider has killed delivery fees for orders over $20. This decision entitles Postmates Unlimited subscribers to free delivery for orders placed with any of its 250,000-plus merchant partners. Postmates members pay a $9.99 monthly subscription fee.
Discount giant adds another massive ‘Pickup Tower’

Walmart’s self-service kiosks that cater to online order in-store pickups have hit Nevada. The discount giant has added a 16-ft. “Pickup Tower” at its Las Vegas Walmart Supercenter. The tower is the first machine to be installed on the West Coast, according to Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Forecast: Holiday sales to be impacted by ‘lackluster’ wage growth

One of the first holiday quarter sales forecasts is out of the gate. Global retail consulting firm Kantar Retail predicts that U.S. retail sales will grow 3.7% in the fourth quarter of this year. The forecast represents an improvement relative to weak growth of only 2.9% in the year ago period. But it is underwhelming compared to average growth prior to the recession of 5.0%, according to Kantar.