Technology

After speaking with a variety of retailers at NRF Big Show 2018 and attending some of the sessions, what was evident is that retailers put off capital investment in 2017, choosing instead to focus on continued efforts to reduce costs and consolidate operations. However, 2018 is anticipated to be a year when retailers will begin…

As I look at retail technology trends to watch in 2018, they are underpinned by one common denominator: big data powered by advanced analytics. Smart use of data and analytics to understand the customer, both online and in-store, as well as using new tools to deliver the best customer experience, will be essential for retailers…

The retail industry is undergoing a major transformation as e-commerce disrupts traditional brick-and-mortar store models and gives rise to new modes of “experiential retail.” The experiential retail trend is being driven by a number of factors, including the increasing popularity of e-commerce, the decline in traditional department store traffic, and the proliferation of mobile devices.…

“Bitcoin just hit $15,000.” “People are spending millions on CryptoKitties.” These stories are creeping into the mainstream and creating much more general awareness of cryptocurrencies and the blockchain than even a few short months ago. It’s still early in terms of the public’s understanding of blockchain technology, but the application that could change that quickly…

As QVC continues to grow — its acquisition of rival HSN was completed last month — the challenges facing the business grow accordingly. To overcome those challenges, the retailer is increasingly turning to technology and a partnership formed by the company’s information technology team and the rest of the business. In a session yesterday at…

Whether it’s job automation or secret languages, artificial intelligence (AI) has been the talk of many digital, security, and employment circles. But how does AI influence the retail industry? A new whitepaper from internet service provider Plusnet tackles just that. The whitepaper, How the future of the internet will influence retail, explores some of the ways…

As we begin 2018, it’s safe to say that artificial intelligence (AI) will continue to infiltrate our everyday lives and challenge business processes to become more intelligent and proactive. In fact, according to Forrester, 38 percent of enterprises are already using artificial intelligence, growing to 62 percent by 2018. Additionally, IDC believes AI will be a $47 billion…

Consumers spent a record $6.59 billion this Cyber Monday, more than double the amount spent in 2016. This included an exponential increase in year-over-year online purchasing. And while retailers bask in the afterglow of a successful holiday season, consumers have been unknowingly left in the lurch. Despite massive profits, some of the most frequented e-commerce…

Retail has become one of the most difficult industries in which to survive. Behemoths such as Amazon.com increasingly sweep weaker competitors off the map. So, how can retailers compete in the age of Amazon? Unfortunately, there's no “silver bullet” technology that can help here. The key is being able to adapt quickly and experiment with…

A common question regarding web design and performance is which is better, a rich customer experience or a leaner website that loads faster? This is a question eBags posed. And the path the online retailer of handbags, luggage, backpacks and travel accessories chose generated 10 percent more orders. Here's how eBags did it. New UX…