BLOG POSTS BY THIS AUTHOR
May 2022
May 13
Resale retail comes of age
As online resale grows in popularity, retailers are becoming more innovative within the space.
May 06
Three questions retailers should ask before Prime Day arrives
Amazon has confirmed that Prime Day will occur in July this year, and now is the time for other retailers to prepare.
Apr 2022
Apr 29
Elon Musk is buying Twitter – what’s next for retailers?
Meet the likely new boss of Twitter, who may prove very different than the old bosses.
Apr 15
Entertainment, sports venues serve up retail tech innovation
Entertainment and sports arenas increasingly feature leading-edge retail technology deployments.
Apr 08
Virtual malls become a real trend
The newest kind of mall is one you don’t have to leave home to visit.
Apr 01
Millennials are the new Gen X – retailers turn to Gen Z
A new generation is captivating retailers with its technological sophistication and interest in digital experiences.
ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR
May 2022
May 16
eBay partners with FedEx to ease Canadian shipping
eBay is integrating a key solution from FedEx directly into its Canadian online marketplace.
May 16
Urban Outfitters brings ‘buy now, pay later’ to the U.S.
Urban Outfitters is giving U.S. online shoppers a new payment option.
May 16
Domino’s transports customers to the world of ‘Stranger Things’
Domino’s latest marketing effort involves a popular Netflix series and a “mind ordering” app.
May 16
Consumers overwhelmingly favor one retail membership program
A substantial portion of U.S. households all belong to the same retail membership offering.
May 16
The top supply chain concerns are…
A new survey reveals the main obstacles to supply chain transformation.
May 13
Blue Yonder may get separate stock listing
Blue Yonder parent company Panasonic Holdings Corp. may make a major financial move regarding the supply chain management solutions company.
May 12
Instacart takes first step to go public — and releases 10-year plan
Instacart’s ambitious roadmap for the next decade includes a possible initial public offering.
May 12
Online prices continue to drive grocery inflation growth
Grocery inflation continues to rise, particularly in the e-commerce channel.
May 12
eBay offers small business sellers support
eBay announced the launch of its third annual Up & Running Grants program, created to support U.S. small businesses with e-commerce.
May 12
Exclusive Q&A: Newegg interacts with customers via livestream
Newegg Commerce Inc. is airing several episodes per week on its proprietary livestream platform.
May 12
Klarna connects online shoppers to physical stores
Klarna is utilizing live video and messaging to bridge the digital and in-store shopping experiences.
May 12
Global fashion retailer connects employees across the enterprise
Gant is streamlining a variety of workflows with a digital workplace platform.
May 11
Walmart manages global workflows digitally
Walmart is bringing cross-departmental international work into a single digital workspace.
May 11
Online inflation growth slows in April
April 2022 marked the 23rd straight month online prices rose year-over-year – but there is a small silver lining.
May 11
Survey: Fraud poses serious risk to businesses
Fraud and illicit business activity is rampant and costly.
May 10
The retailer consumers shop most for everyday items is…
Consumers have a clear favorite retailer when it comes to purchasing everyday items.
May 10
SpartanNash launches on-demand delivery
A grocery retailer/distributor is offering independent grocers in its network an online delivery option.
May 10
DHL succeeds with robotic sortation pilot
The e-commerce division of DHL Group has been piloting two automated systems in a key distribution center.
May 10
Survey: Digital retail is big, but don’t overlook the store
A new survey indicates that customers like online shopping, but also expect omnichannel fulfillment options.
May 10
The North Face revamps resale program
The North Face is launching a new website and customer experience for its resale offering.
May 09
Study: Consumers spend more, online and in-store
Despite inflation, U.S. consumers continued increasing their spending across channels in March 2022.
May 09
Kohl’s recognized by government for energy efficiency
Kohl’s Corp. has received a prestigious environmental award for the 11th straight year.
May 09
Starbucks eyes providing a ‘third place’ – in the metaverse
Starbucks Corp. intends to utilize Web 3.0 technologies to establish a strong foothold in the emerging metaverse.
May 09
Amazon shuts down fake review brokers
Amazon is scoring some victories in its continuing struggle against bogus product reviews showing up on its site.
May 09
Report: Internal data breach hits Ikea Canada
Personal information of some Ikea Canada customers was reportedly exposed in a March 2022 incident involving an employee.
May 05
Coborn’s takes personalization to the conveyor belt
A Midwest grocer is targeting customers at checkout in an interesting way.
May 05
Unilever to offer robotic direct-to-consumer ice cream sales
A CPG giant and what’s billed as the world’s “first store-hailing platform” are teaming up to offer a 21st-century version of the ice cream truck.
May 05
Albertsons expands partnership with leading delivery platform
Albertsons Cos. continues growing its presence in the on-demand delivery space.
May 05
Rite Aid joins ‘buy now, pay later’ trend
Rite Aid Corp. is offering online shoppers a new way to make installment payments on purchases.
May 04
Duluth Trading Co. transforms in-store POS to unified commerce
Duluth Trading Co. is merging its omnichannel customer touchpoints in the store environment.
May 04
Carvana brings ‘car vending machine’ to new West Coast market
The latest Carvana automated vehicle pickup location is opening in an area accustomed to high-tech offerings.
May 04
Exclusive Q&A: FTD CTO delves into partner e-commerce platform
FTD is collaborating with a well-known hosted e-commerce provider to aid its small-to-medium florist partners.
May 04
Fanatics improves accuracy of customer address data
Fanatics is ensuring its captures the correct shipping address during online checkout.
May 03
Levi’s makes online sizing more accurate, inclusive
A leading denim brand hopes to make finding the right size a little easier for shoppers on its e-commerce site.
May 03
Canada retailers including Metro, Giant Tiger expand online delivery
Metro, Giant Tiger, and Galleria Supermarket are a few of the Canadian retailers launching or building on partnerships with a well-known delivery platform.
May 03
Francesca’s mobile app enables frontline workers
Francesca’s Holdings Corp. is providing associates access to an app designed to improve communication, learning, and productivity.
May 03
What influences Gen Z path to purchase?
A new survey reveals where Gen Z shoppers are turning to make buying decisions and receive customer service.
May 03
Amazon eyes tech hub expansion in California
Amazon will add new office space and workers to its Southern California technology infrastructure.
May 03
Joann targets in-store customers with mobile offers
A leading specialty arts and crafts retailer is performing location-based marketing in its stores.
May 02
Westland Mall launches omnichannel shopping platform
A Florida-based shopping center is enhancing its e-commerce site to open mall retailers to digital customers.
May 02
Bed Bath & Beyond kicks off omnichannel college promotion
Bed Bath & Beyond wants to help incoming college kids prepare for the transition to a campus residence.
May 02
eBay expands authentication services for high-value trading cards
eBay is engaging a third-party authenticator for select graded cards sold on its platform in the U.S.
May 02
Exclusive Q&A: Us Weekly explains e-commerce push
A celebrity- and entertainment news-focused magazine is trying to convert readers into shoppers.
Apr 2022
Apr 29
Walmart expands support for Indian third-party sellers
Walmart continues to develop infrastructure for its burgeoning India sourcing initiative.
Apr 29
Kroger Health supports federal ‘Test to Treat’ initiative
The healthcare division of The Kroger Co. is providing omnichannel COVID-19 testing and treatment services.
Apr 29
New Snapchat AR shopping features include virtual try-on
Smart camera company Snap Inc. continues rolling out new augmented reality (AR) capabilities to streamline social commerce on its Snapchat visual platform.
Apr 29
CSA Exclusive: eBay exec discusses Refurbished storefront
eBay is keeping up with the times as it expands its Refurbished program for like-new products.
Apr 29
Amazon Prime Day returning in 2022
Amazon has confirmed the timing for the 2022 edition of its Prime Day omnichannel sales extravaganza.
Apr 28
Walmart launches virtual diabetes care program
Walmart continues to expand the scope of its online wellness practice.
Apr 28
Lands’ End optimizes product assortment
Lands’ End is improving transparency, communication, and integration in its product development process.
Apr 28
Amazon prepares for first pet-focused online sales bonanza
Amazon is kicking off National Pet Month in May with a special 24-hour online event.
Apr 28
Vertical paint retailer partners with Walmart for commercial deliveries
Kelly-Moore Paints is the latest company to sign up with the Walmart GoLocal white-label delivery service.
Apr 28
Survey reveals how to drive online grocery purchases
Online grocery retailers can leverage a few key technology solutions to help ensure browsers convert into buyers.
Apr 28
Dick’s Sporting Goods partners with Out&Back for resale pilot
Dick’s Sporting Goods is diving into resale.
Apr 28
Publix debuts 15-minute delivery
Publix Super Markets Inc. is partnering with a well-known hosted delivery platform to fulfill online orders in 15 minutes in a major market.
Apr 27
New Apple online store targets tech DIY-ers
Apple is providing enthusiasts of its products a chance to perform their own repairs.
Apr 27
Best Buy achieves zero-waste certification for more facilities
Best Buy Co. Inc. is making progress in its corporate sustainability efforts.
Apr 27
Walmart doubles discount on fuel for members of paid loyalty program
Walmart is doubling its discount on gas purchases as it looks to increase — and renew — membership in its paid subscription loyalty program, Walmart+.
Apr 27
Seattle baseball stadium to make frictionless shopping first
T-Mobile Park is doing something with checkout-free retailing that no other Major League Baseball ballpark has done.
Apr 27
Lidl parent modernizes enterprise infrastructure
The Schwartz Group is optimizing its IT infrastructure to better handle emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT).
Apr 27
Survey: Metaverse commerce poised for growth
A new consumer survey indicates participation and interest in making purchases in the metaverse may be greater than commonly thought.
Apr 26
First Look: Amazon Go opens new suburban format
Amazon Go has officially come to the suburbs.
Apr 26
Rebag launches auction feature
A leading luxury resale retailer is giving customers a new way to purchase goods.
Apr 26
Midwest grocer dramatically boosts digital coupon redemption
Niemann Foods’ County Market has switched from paper to digital coupons, with overwhelmingly positive customer response.
Apr 26
Walmart Canada adds new channel to in-store advertising mix
Advertisers seeking to target shoppers in Walmart Canada stores now have an additional option.
Apr 26
Jack in the Box to pilot kitchen robots
Robots will be popping up back-of-house at a leading quick-service hamburger chain.
Apr 26
CSA Exclusive: Robert Irwin Jewelers offers digital insurance
A regional Southeast jewelry retailer is streamlining the process for customers to insure their purchases.
Apr 25
SpartanNash offers independent grocers new fulfillment platform
A grocery retailer/distributor is expanding and easing access to its food selection for its independent grocer customers.
Apr 25
Hertz modernizes enterprise with Amazon cloud computing platform
A leading car rental retailer is digitalizing its customer experience and enhancing its mobile offering with help from a well-known cloud services provider.
Apr 25
Mastercard partners with Microsoft to tackle digital fraud
Mastercard is enhancing its ability to authenticate digital consumers at the moment of purchase.
Apr 25
Elon Musk acquires Twitter for $44 billion
The high-profile billionaire founder/CEO of Tesla has a new business venture.
Apr 25
Us Weekly launches celebrity-focused e-commerce site
A celebrity- and entertainment news-focused magazine is extending its brand into e-commerce.
Apr 25
The biggest supply chain risks are…
A new survey reveals what is keeping supply chain executives up at night.
Apr 25
EY offers insight into fulfillment technology
There are a variety of technology-driven solutions and strategies retailers can deploy to maximize fulfillment efficiency and effectiveness.
Apr 22
New York arena features Amazon ‘Just Walk Out’
Frictionless shopping is coming to the home of the New York Islanders professional hockey franchise.
Apr 21
How prevalent is AI in the supply chain?
A new survey reveals where and how often retailer use artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in the supply chain.
Apr 21
Amazon opens new cashierless grocery stores in California
Shoppers in Southern California have several new options for skipping the checkout line when they buy groceries.
Apr 21
Amazon creates $1 billion fund for supply chain innovation
Amazon is launching a $1 billion venture investment program for logistics and fulfillment technology.
Apr 21
Pacsun gender-fluid collection crosses into the metaverse
Pacsun is building on two trends it has been actively participating in.
Apr 21
Amazon extends reach of Prime shopping
Amazon Prime members can now receive the program’s benefits for a wider range of purchases.
Apr 20
Kroger targets new market for fast delivery with hiring initiative
The Kroger Co. continues expanding the reach of its refrigerated delivery service for e-commerce orders.
Apr 20
Best Buy takes recycling to the customer
Best Buy Co. Inc. is making it easy for customers to responsibly dispose of electronic waste.
Apr 20
Now batting at Fenway Park – contactless checkout
America’s oldest professional baseball stadium is offering customers a leading-edge method of buying concessions.
Apr 20
Walmart to power material handling lift trucks with green hydrogen
Walmart continues to switch to alternative zero-carbon energy sources throughout its supply chain.
Apr 20
CSA Exclusive: Specialty CPG brand streamlines product testing
Bravo Sierra is enhancing product development with real-time access to field testers.
Apr 20
Wayfair sets date for annual sales bonanza
The Wayfair 48-hour “Way Day” online sales event is coming soon.
Apr 19
Panera makes history with self-serve subscription
Panera is taking the unlimited beverage subscription concept in a new direction.
Apr 19
J.C. Penney boosts e-commerce sales with targeted promotions
A move away from blanket discounts has resulted in big improvements in major e-commerce metrics for J.C. Penney Co. Inc.
Apr 19
Minnesota grocer automates shelf inventory tracking
Lund Food Holdings is obtaining near-real-time access to actual shelf inventory conditions.
Apr 19
Sam’s Club private brand gets sustainable makeover
Sam’s Club is re-evaluating its Members Mark private label assortment as parent company Walmart focuses on regeneration.
Apr 19
Amazon expands contactless tech to Whole Foods stores in new market
Amazon is introducing its Amazon One palm payment technology at seven additional Whole Foods stores.
Apr 19
Do consumers really care about sustainability?
A new survey reveals just how much shoppers will sacrifice in the name of sustainable retailing.
Apr 18
Charlotte Tilbury goes deeper into the metaverse
Charlotte Tilbury is adding several new interactive features to its immersive metaverse shopping experience.
Apr 18
Survey: This feature makes consumers more open to chatbots
One important chatbot offering substantially increases customer willingness to use the automated customer service tool.
Apr 18
Walgreens returns to omnichannel for child poverty program
Following two years of digital-only participation, Walgreens is once again celebrating Red Nose Day online and in-store.
Apr 18
Survey: The top sources for online food purchases are…
Consumers have identified where they are most likely to find digital inspiration for meal planning and grocery shopping.
Apr 15
Grocery prices steadily increase across channels
A new study reveals exactly how much the cost of grocery items rose in March 2022.
Apr 15
Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s upgrade digital loyalty program
The parent company of two fast-food hamburger retailers is overhauling its customer engagement and loyalty efforts across all stores.
Apr 15
CSA Exclusive: Organic food retailer keeps marketing relevant
Pressed is automating its marketing activities across multiple channels, with an eye on personalization.
Apr 15
Luxury apparel brand launches proprietary resale program
Another Tomorrow is bringing the authentication and resale process in-house.
Apr 15
Global digital sales make historic drop in Q1 2022
A variety of external pressures helped drive drown online consumer spending during the first quarter of 2022.
Apr 14
Amazon adds new surcharge to some sellers' fees
Third-party sellers who use the managed Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) distribution service will soon feel the impact of rising inflation and fuel costs.
Apr 14
REI making bigger play in running category with in-store, online moves
REI Co-op is investing in a multi-year, omnichannel strategy to engage customers across all touchpoints.
Apr 14
Exclusive: Q&A with Vitamin Shoppe CEO
The Vitamin Shoppe pursues a localized, integrated customer engagement strategy.
Apr 13
Meta pilots virtual commerce in the metaverse
The parent company of Facebook is stepping up its efforts to create a full-fledged virtual world, complete with shopping.
Apr 13
How do consumers feel about supply chain disruptions?
A new survey provides insight into how consumers view current supply chain issues, including ongoing disruption and sustainability concerns.
Apr 13
Lowe’s offers new educational program to associates
Lowe’s Companies Inc. is making it easier for full- and part-time associates to continue their education.
Apr 13
Walgreens Boots Alliance subsidiary streamlines product development
No7 Beauty Company is leveraging product lifecycle management technology to improve metrics such as time-to-market.
Apr 13
Carvana opens 32nd U.S. ‘car vending machine’
Carvana continues developing automated locations for picking up online vehicle purchases.
Apr 12
Grocery sets new record as online inflation growth matches all-time high
March 2022 marked the 22nd consecutive month with increasing online inflation.
Apr 12
Dallas arena opens stores with autonomous checkout
American Airlines Center is offering two new frictionless shopping options.
Apr 12
Panera keeps the coffee hot – with robots
Panera Bread is automating the coffee monitoring process.
Apr 12
How important is sustainability to apparel shoppers?
A new survey reveals how much of an impact sustainability has on consumer purchase decisions for apparel and footwear products.
Apr 12
Bojangles streamlines mobile customer experience
Bojangles is unifying its in-store and online engagement of customers via its mobile app.
Apr 11
The Body Shop brings sustainable packaging effort to U.S.
A global beauty brand is allowing customers at some U.S. stores to refill select products, instead of purchasing new containers.
Apr 11
Quality Mart streamlines curbside pickup with leading-edge technology
A regional convenience store operator is making curbside pickup of online orders as seamless as possible.
Apr 11
How much will COVID-19 impact consumer Easter plans?
A new survey reveals the extent to which the lingering pandemic will affect how consumers celebrate – and shop for – the Easter holiday.
Apr 11
C&S Wholesale Grocers standardizes digital product content
The largest wholesale grocery supply company in the U.S. is enhancing customer support in product identification, interaction and ordering.
Apr 11
Walmart links suppliers to sustainable packaging
Walmart is accelerating efforts to provide sustainable packaging for products it sells.
Apr 11
Shop Rite parent to monitor store shelves with AI robots
Wakefern Food Corp. is turning to robotic automation to collect highly accurate shelf data.
Apr 08
The leading social platform for product discovery is…
Every demographic group except one favors the same social media channel to discover new products.
Apr 08
CSA Exclusive: Online fashion retailer offers virtual fitting
Careste is ensuring that online shoppers can have the same level of fitting accuracy they get in a brick-and-mortar store.
Apr 08
Amazon increases incentives for new third-party sellers
Amazon is providing an array of benefits and resources for new independent sellers that join its third-party Amazon Marketplace e-commerce platform.
Apr 07
Alphabet reaches historic first in commercial drone delivery
The drone technology subsidiary of Google parent Alphabet is launching the first-ever commercial drone delivery service in a major U.S. metropolitan area.
Apr 07
Walmart addresses lack of truck drivers with new program, pay increase
As an industrywide shortage of truck driver hits record highs, Walmart is targeting a new pool of potential drivers and raising wages.
Apr 07
Walmart marks milestone in carbon reduction effort
Walmart is making significant progress in its initiative to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from supply chain partners.
Apr 07
Study: Male and younger consumers most familiar with metaverse; others not so
The best word to sum up the current level of potential of the metaverse as a consumer engagement tool is “some.”
Apr 07
Amazon targets Virginia for cashierless grocery store expansion
Amazon has opened a new Amazon Fresh store in Virginia, and it’s just the beginning of a planned expansion in the state.
Apr 06
Kroger, Bed Bath & Beyond officially launch e-commerce partnership
Kroger is making select Bed Bath & Beyond products available on its website, with plans for an in-store pilot.
Apr 06
Kroger enters restaurant supply business
The Kroger Co. is launching a new business aimed at independent restaurant operators in a major U.S. city.
Apr 06
Regional grocer digitally engages in-store shoppers
Giant Food is piloting a next-generation, in-store product engagement platform in select Washington, D.C., area stores.
Apr 06
The top omnichannel CPG retailer is…
There are some regional differences in consumer retail preferences, but the country agrees on where to shop for CPG products.
Apr 06
Conn’s optimizes distribution for next-day delivery
Conn’s HomePlus is leveraging vendor-managed inventory (VMI) technology to ensure products are available for delivery the day after a customer order.
Apr 05
Pacsun launches resale program with ThredUp
Pacsun is enabling its customers to both buy and sell pre-owned apparel items.
Apr 05
Instacart makes changes in its tipping policy
Instacart is updating how customers give tips on its platform, and how shoppers collect them.
Apr 05
PayPal creates new digital interface for credit card
The new PayPal Cashback credit card offers users an enhanced desktop and mobile experience.
Apr 05
Kroger survey reveals varying concerns over grocery sustainability
A new survey demonstrates that there is not a single consumer mindset when it comes to sustainable retail practices.
Apr 05
Chipotle launches burrito-rolling game — online
Chipotle Mexican Grill is offering a new promotion on the popular Roblox digital gaming platform with “real world” crossover.
Apr 04
Vitamin Shoppe expands online assortment beyond supplements
The Vitamin Shoppe is leveraging drop-shipping to offer a new range of products via its e-commerce site.
Apr 04
San Francisco stadium manages concessions inventory in real time
Customers at San Francisco’s Oracle Park will have enhanced access to concessions products.
Apr 04
Survey: Are consumers ready for metaverse shopping?
A new survey reveals consumer interest in – and familiarity with – the metaverse as a retail channel.
Apr 04
J.C. Penney marks 120th anniversary with omnichannel campaign
A “Saturday Night Live” star is helping The J.C. Penney Co. Inc. launch its new “Shopping is Back” promotion.
Apr 04
Walmart ups Amazon contest with incentive for new marketplace sellers
Walmart is launching a promotion to encourage new sellers to join its third-party Walmart Marketplace e-commerce platform – quickly.
Apr 04
Report: Ninth Starbucks store votes to unionize as Schultz returns
The arrival of a familiar face as interim CEO is not dampening enthusiasm for unionization at corporate Starbucks stores.
Apr 01
Wendy’s to open immersive virtual store – and more - with Meta
Wendy’s and the company formerly known as Facebook are teaming up to create a metaverse environment.
Apr 01
Amazon warehouse workers make historic union vote
In a first for Amazon, employees at one of its massive warehouses have voted to join a union.
Apr 01
Albertsons expands supplemental benefit acceptance
One of the largest U.S. grocers is significantly increasing the range of products customers can purchase with supplemental benefit payments in its stores.
Apr 01
Survey: Retail set for social commerce boom
Consumers have fully embraced the concept of purchasing products via social media.
Apr 01
Regional grocer manages core enterprise practices with AI
Hawaii’s largest locally-owned grocery chain is leveraging artificial intelligence in multiple key areas of its business.