Digital Innovation

In a session earlier this week at Shoptalk 2022 in Las Vegas, Sam's Club CEO Kath McLay detailed how the retailer is delivering better experiences for its members across both physical and digital channels. Sam's Club, the warehouse club owned by Walmart, has posted an impressive 27 percent growth in its e-commerce business over the…

The metaverse is here. In fact, it has been for quite some time. While most of us may have just learned of the term “metaverse,” those born in 1997 and after (Gen Z and Alpha) have grown up with it. For them, the idea of interacting, learning, conversing and even buying in a virtual universe…

Following Facebook, Inc.’s name change to Meta Platforms, Inc. and Microsoft’s acquisition of video game holding company Activision Blizzard, the metaverse — i.e., the 3D virtual universe users navigate with individualized avatars to play games, socialize, learn, and attend events — undoubtedly poses huge opportunities for businesses. But what does this connected world mean for…

The mobile age has streamlined our daily lives. It’s to the point where waiting in lines, dealing with people, or even leaving the house feels like a hassle when you can just push buttons on your phone to accomplish what you need. Thanks to our smartphones, we’ve reduced the ability to shop, pay, travel and…

The past two years have shown us the value of preparation. For the first time in a long time, the average American has had to consider that everything can change at the drop of a dime. Despite new and unforeseen challenges in 2020 and 2021, preparation for the unexpected is nothing new for retailers. As…

CVS Health is looking to be the first pharmacy in the metaverse. The drugstore and health services company filed for a trademark to sell virtual goods, NFTs and provide healthcare services, joining major retailers like Walmart and Nike. In its filing with U.S. Patent Trade Office, CVS is looking to trademark its logo and to provide an…

The retail landscape has reached a permanently hybridized state, with shopping flourishing both online and offline alongside stretched supply chains. Amidst this landscape, more traditional brands are working through a dramatic shift toward more e-commerce, while direct-to-consumer (D-to-C) natives consider expansion into retail distribution. Large, established CPG brands typically focused on selling in-store now face…

Merchants and brands say they’re entering the metaverse by releasing non-fungible token (NFT) projects or buying land in virtual worlds like The Sandbox and Decentraland. The reality is neither brands nor NFT owners are in the metaverse because it hasn’t been built. They're exploring digital worlds, sure, but we can't have multiple "metaverses." And as…

On Tuesday, Whole Foods opened its first store that allows customers to skip the register entirely. The store, located in Washington, D.C., uses Amazon.com's "Just Walk Out" technology. (Whole Foods is owned by Amazon.) Customers scan their Whole Foods app, credit card or Amazon app when they enter; sensors and cameras detect what items the customer…

The past two years have seen a monumental shift in how businesses function, especially small to midsized businesses (SMBs). At the onslaught of the pandemic, many SMBs struggled to stay afloat. However, the quick adoption of digital e-commerce platforms enabled many to achieve agility and resilience amid challenging times. Today, SMBs are poised for growth…