Augmented Reality

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) bring the potential for entirely new shopping experiences and new kinds of added value. They are the gateways to “v-commerce,” a blend of brick-and-mortar retailing and e-commerce. L.E.K. Consulting recently surveyed 1,000 consumers who were aware of AR and VR technology. The results offer an initial look at…

Lowe's is expanding its "Smart Home powered by b8ta" connected-home shopping experience to 70 stores nationwide. The store-within-a-store concept, which was developed in partnership with software-powered retailer b8ta, features a curated selection of smart home products — e.g., security systems, thermostats, cameras, lighting equipment, speakers — that shoppers learn about and try before making a…

Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled sales technologies have made predictive selling a reality by combining data and analytics to drive sales success. AI can help salespeople prioritize leads and make relevant product or service recommendations using data science to provide guidance. This frees sales teams to focus on the art of sales and build relationships that lead…

The inaugural Shoptalk Europe brought hundreds of speakers and thousands of delegates to Copenhagen to debate the future of retail. The huge diversity of ideas and discussions reflected the fundamental changes and challenges facing the industry, and how the retail experience is evolving to be smarter, easier and better. Smarter: Artificial Intelligence and the Smart Commerce Revolution…

It’s been 10 years since a man in a black turtle neck, jeans and sneakers showcased what was then an odd-looking, white, mobile device — the first iPhone. Since then, the mobile landscape has changed more than consumers and retailers could have ever imagined. The question today is whether the most advanced iPhones to date,…

Virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) have come a long way in a short while. Businesses across the world are embracing the use of AR/VR technology by tailoring their products for the virtual sphere. Within the next four months, it's possible that over 8,600 brick-and-mortar stores will shut down due to the rise of e-commerce. V-commerce…

A few months ago, Amazon.com surprised the tech and retail worlds by announcing plans to acquire Whole Foods. For those of us who have been watching Amazon’s increasing dominance, this development is nothing new. In fact, I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner. Traditional brick-and-mortar retail outlets have long been struggling to figure out how to…

So far, 2017 is setting records for retail bankruptcies. J.C. Penney, Kmart, Sears and Macy's all announced that they're closing stores this year. Based on these dire trends, it might seem like the brick-and-mortar store is an endangered species. However, that’s not actually the case. Brick-and-mortar retail still accounts for more than 90 percent of…

Much has been made of the increasingly prominent role of e-commerce within retail — and rightfully so. A number of big-name retailers have dedicated both time and money attempting to challenge Amazon.com's market dominance. When it comes to keeping their brick-and-mortar locations around despite a flurry of e-commerce growth, retailers need to get creative. Virtual…

Much has been made of the increasingly prominent role of e-commerce within retail — and rightfully so. A number of big-name retailers have dedicated both time and money attempting to challenge Amazon.com’s market dominance. When it comes to keeping their brick-and-mortar locations around despite a flurry of e-commerce growth, retailers need to get creative. Virtual […]