Technology

Communication. Coordination. User experience. These aren't typically the traits that come to mind when discussing blockchain. Instead, many associate the technology with its ability to increase transparency. However, when we think past transparency, the blockchain conversation comes into full bloom. Direct-to-consumer e-commerce is endlessly complex. The flows of information are endless, channels seem to multiply…

Artificial intelligence (AI) was chosen as the emerging technology most likely to have the biggest impact on the retail industry in 2019, according to Total Retail's 2018-2019 Retail Technology Report. Retailers and brands are investigating ways to leverage the power of AI across their organizations, from marketing to logistics to customer service, and more. Workwear…

Recent market research predicts that voice shopping will explode to over $40 billion by 2022, up from $2 billion today. As popularity in voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa grows rapidly, retailers are jumping at the opportunity to create unique and dynamic shopping experiences by leveraging the new technology. However, in an era…

Total Retail is excited to present to you its third annual Top 100 Omnichannel Retailers report. The report, produced in conjunction with Radial, an omnichannel commerce technology and operations provider, features a ranking of 100 publicly traded retailers based on their omnichannel retail programs offered as well as the execution of said programs. Why focus on omnichannel retail? The…

When shoppers encounter a retailer that doesn’t accept their preferred payment method, 55 percent will spend less or go elsewhere according to a recent study by Adyen. Yet, payment preferences can involve an array of layered factors. Payment options should go beyond offering credit card or cash to allow shoppers to finance purchases, especially higher-priced…

Between rapid technology evolution’s effect on sales and smaller businesses stuck hiding behind the shadows of e-commerce giants, retailers are grappling with a great deal of uncertainty. Even in the best of retail sales and revenue growth, product returns are expected to have accounted for 30 percent of the 2018 retail economy — an estimated $37 billion. So,…

Fueled by the collective effort of dozens of new luxury-specific technology solutions in the market, the online shopping experience continues to evolve, adopting the best features of brick-and-mortar stores. Unfortunately, in the click vs. brick war, digital retail is still the weaker competitor as it’s tough to bring the emotions and engagement of physical retail…

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have become common terms among retail giants such as Amazon.com, Wayfair, Ikea and more as they discuss their futures. However, the question remains: Have consumers bought into this future-of-retail vision, which relies on a mix of virtual realities woven into shopping experiences? The answer might surprise you. A…

In episode 191 of Total Retail Talks, Executive Editor Joe Keenan speaks with Liz Thompson, chief people officer at Southeastern Grocers, one of the largest conventional supermarket companies in the U.S. Listen in as they discuss Southeastern Grocers’ partnership with Axonify, a microlearning platform, and how Axonify’s technology has improved employee training and communications. This episode…

Many people are familiar with the outdated, traditional old store model — think long lines, limited assortments, out-of-stock inventory, and unhelpful sales associates. Considering the popularity of online shopping, customers expect more convenient, tailored in-store experiences to match the ease of virtual shopping. Although fewer people are shopping in physical stores, brick-and-mortar locations aren't disappearing…