Technology

Sears Canada has introduced Skype technology in 10 of its trendy new fashion shops, allowing shoppers to get instant online feedback by modelling would-be purchases for friends or family on an in-store, 58-inch-wide screen.

There's a new kiosk on the market that promises to make shopping a more pleasant experience by matching shoppers' bodies with the perfect fit and style of clothing. The mybestfit kiosk designed by Unique Solutions is a body-scanning booth that takes body measurements and then matches those results to the sizing specifications of specific apparel brands listed in the kiosk's database.

We popped by the BlackBerry Playbook launch party in New York last week and found that some shopping sites work better (or work at all) on the Playbook vs. Apple's iPad 2, the other hot new spring tablet launch — and it's not just about have-Flash vs. have-not-Flash. On some sites, you can't even see all the merch or go to the next page if you're using one of these devices.

Best Buy has confirmed it's testing tablets and POS apps during the launch of its "Connected Store" pilot program. Tablets being tested include the Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab and the Motorola Xoom.

Lands' End has been doing e-commerce since 1995, and most of its revenue flows through its website today. It's been an early adopter of a number of e-retail technologies, like the live video chat with customer service reps that it started offering customers last fall. So you'd think it would be a natural for the clothing retailer to embrace cloud-based infrastructure.

This Friday, Polo Ralph Lauren is launching its first RLX iPad app, and this being Polo there's no shortage of innovative elements to underscore the brand's athletic roots. 

To help meet customers' desire for immediacy during the shopping experience, Nordstrom President Blake Nordstrom announced that the retailer will deploy mobile devices for its store employees by this fall.

Clothing retailer Selfridges is displaying the Urban Mobility fashion collection as QR coded artwork. The installation is a unique blend of retail fashion, art and technology and probably demonstrates why Selfridges was voted "Best Department Store in the World" by the International Association of Department Stores.

Beauty care company Estée Lauder is using digital technologies to enhance the customer experience at various points of sale, including iPads for consumer use. Estée Lauder is "the first cosmetics brand to put iPads at selected store counters," said Fabrizio Freda, the company's president and CEO.

J.C. Penney unveiled plans to install large touchscreens at 120 of its stores and introduce an iPad application available in 50 jewelry departments, the latest move by a retailer looking to capitalize on the growing electronic sales market.