Digital Innovation

In episode 495 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Joe Cano, senior vice president of digital commerce at Lowe's, a FORTUNE® 100 home improvement company. Cano details the company's approach to personalizing the digital shopping experience for both DIY homeowners and professional contractors (1:45). He explains how Lowe's uses real-time data and artificial…

The value of retailer first-party data has been undeniable since the launch of Tesco Clubcard with dunnhumby in 1995. That breakthrough proved purchase data could drive loyalty and monetization. Three decades later and retail media has blossomed into one of the fastest-growing and most fragmented parts of digital advertising. Opportunities are immense, but so are…

Walmart announced Tuesday that it has struck a deal with OpenAI to allow shoppers to make purchases directly through artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT. With the move, the retail giant and largest U.S. grocer is trying to keep up with shifts in how consumers discover items to buy. Along with purchasing items they see on social media or…

Everyone has a digital circular. Don’t let them die on your website or app. What maximizes digital circulars’ incremental outcomes is the ability to extend the reach of this critical asset to shoppers before their next store visit. In the hunt for value, consumers are frequenting more stores and channels, creating smaller basket sizes and…

Nearly half (49 percent) of U.S. retailers are using store intelligence technologies (including artificial intelligence/machine learning, cameras, etc.), with the number continuing to grow as technology continues to evolve. And one concept that's gaining traction is sensor technology, which could enhance the in-store experience for brands, retailers and consumers. As retailers, in conjunction with brands,…

For retail technology leaders, the pressure of the holiday season doesn’t begin in November. It starts in Q1, builds in Q2, and peaks by August when most retailers stop shipping major new features to avoid instability during the highest revenue quarter of the year. That long lead-up exists for good reason. Even a minor bug…

Live shopping is quickly becoming a powerful tool for retailers seeking to drive conversion, particularly in price-sensitive moments like back-to-school season. Consumers trust influencers — 71 percent of U.S. consumers purchased a creator-founded product last year, and that number is rising. By leveraging trusted influencers and real-time engagement, brands can shorten the path from discovery…

In a first-of-its-kind move for a specialty fashion retailer, American Eagle (AE) has teamed up with Snap Inc. to launch over 800 U.S. store locations as Promoted Places on Snap Map, Snapchat’s real-time, location-based discovery tool. The integration, which went live on July 9, is designed to meet Gen Z consumers where they already spend…

With the rise of e-commerce and an increasingly digital society, brick-and-mortar stores are looking to technology to revitalize their offerings and, most importantly, their presence and recognition. Digital signage plays a key role in revamping retail, creating new revenue streams, memorable consumer experiences, and personalization that takes loyalty to a new level. In fact, it's…

As digital assets become more mainstream, businesses are exploring practical, low-risk ways to enter the crypto economy. Stablecoin payouts and loyalty rewards have emerged as some of the most accessible options, offering immediate operational benefits and deeper engagement with digital-native consumers. Meeting Digital-Native Expectations Millennials and Gen Z are leading the adoption of crypto wallets…