Technology

The end goal of all retail companies is to hear the cha-ching of the cash register. But getting there is rarely an easy path. Retailers must make a series of decisions before the cash register rings, and one misstep along that decision path can cost them big. In fact, these missteps equate to $1.1 trillion…

Between them, they’ve raised hundreds of millions of dollars in venture funding. They’ve launched high-tech e-commerce platforms and Main Street brick-and-mortar stores. They’re turning media sites into customer bases, creating affordable bespoke and luxury products and making the historically murky supply chain more transparent. Meet the retail and e-commerce 30 Under 30 class of 2016.

While retailers are using the Internet of Things (IoT) in many different ways, most have one goal in common: to build customer loyalty and engagement. In fact, it’s already evident that both retailers and consumers are beginning to reap the benefits from more intelligent technology. The onslaught of smart sensors and devices, interactive store layouts,…

Santa's going virtual in a new marketing push from J.C. Penney this holiday season. In an effort to drive more shoppers to the brand and its stores, the Plano, Tex.-based retailer has set up four virtual reality experiences at malls around the country. Dubbed "Twas the Flight Before Christmas," the initiative sends participants — outfitted…

Online stores have a huge advantage with targeted marketing. From the moment you land on ASOS’ website, your path is monitored and analyzed. Click on a skirt or jumper, and you’re invited to “shop the look” or told “you might also like.” Leave the website to check the news on The Wall Street Journal or…

In an attempt to appeal to design-conscious consumers, major athletic shoe brands like Nike and Adidas have been investing heavily in 3-D printing. Now, New Balance is aiming to beat both to the finish line. Yesterday, the company announced a new running shoe model that incorporates a 3-D printed midsole. The shoe will be available…

Almost a year ago, Healey Cypher was proudly showing Forbes around eBay’s retail innovation lab, a secretive arm of the e-commerce giant that he had built from scratch to develop technology for brick-and-mortar stores. Having cobbled together funds and uncovered a forgotten office space a few miles from the company’s San Jose headquarters, the 31-year-old…

Fossil has agreed to acquire Misfit, a maker of wearable devices, for $260 million to shore up its technology as it pushes into smartwatches. Misfit makes a variety of wearable devices, such as fitness and sleep-tracking wristlets and a clip-on smart button that tracks activities. Fossil singled out Misfit's battery-life technology as a particularly appealing component.

Retailers are scanning shoppers with high-tech tools to automatically pick out suspected thieves, absent rules to protect privacy. In the old days, when a store caught someone stealing, a detective would march the thief to a backroom and take his picture with a Polaroid camera. The photo would be added to the retailer’s in-house rogues gallery…

Lowe's is taking 3-D printing to new heights. The home improvement chain has partnered with manufacturing company Made in Space to equip the International Space Station with a 3-D printer. Starting next year, astronauts will be able to print Lowe's-branded tools like ratchets and bolts. The printer is meant to save room while also helping astronauts…