Technology

The retail industry is experiencing the effects from the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its connected devices. According to the information services firm IHS Markit, there will be more than 20 billion internet-connected devices by the end of 2017, and this number is expected to grow to more than 30 billion in…

Lowe's is expanding its "Smart Home powered by b8ta" connected-home shopping experience to 70 stores nationwide. The store-within-a-store concept, which was developed in partnership with software-powered retailer b8ta, features a curated selection of smart home products — e.g., security systems, thermostats, cameras, lighting equipment, speakers — that shoppers learn about and try before making a…

Office Depot announced the launch of BizBox, its new business services platform that will provide startups and small businesses access to the core services needed to start and grow their businesses through a convenient subscription. Monthly services start at $99. BizBox will simplify business decisions and operations for SMBs, and builds upon Office Depot’s previously announced acquisition…

Despite the growing omnichannel nature of today’s consumers, many retailers aren't including omnichannel executives in the technology buying process. This was a key finding from Total Retail's latest survey and report, The 2017 Retail Technology Report: An Analysis of Trends, Buying Behaviors and Future Opportunities. The report, which was produced in conjunction with Radial, features the results of…

Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled sales technologies have made predictive selling a reality by combining data and analytics to drive sales success. AI can help salespeople prioritize leads and make relevant product or service recommendations using data science to provide guidance. This frees sales teams to focus on the art of sales and build relationships that lead…

In episode 117 of Total Retail Talks, Total Retail editors Caitlin Sullivan and Joe Keenan discuss the brand's latest research report, The 2017 Retail Technology Report: An Analysis of Trends, Buying Behaviors and Future Opportunities. Key findings from the report are discussed, including retailers’ cautious approach to investing in emerging technologies. Learn more about the…

With all of the hype surrounding technologies such as machine learning, drones, and others that are going to disrupt the retail industry, it might come as a surprise that retailers are most interested in investing in marketing automation in the next 12 months. Compare that with robotics, the least likely tech that retailers will be…

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said last week it's rolling out shelf-scanning robots in more than 50 U.S. stores next year, to replenish inventory faster and save employees’ time when products run out. While Wal-Mart has been testing shelf-scanning robots in stores in Arkansas, Pennsylvania and California for the past three years, by the end of January,…

In a session this week at the Teradata Partners Conference in Anaheim, Calif., Stephen Brobst, chief technology officer of Teradata, and Heidi Daniels, director, analytics and visualization technologies, Wal-Mart, discussed how the retail chain is using visualization to turn data into action. Brobst kicked off the discussion by stressing the importance of making data visual…

The inaugural Shoptalk Europe brought hundreds of speakers and thousands of delegates to Copenhagen to debate the future of retail. The huge diversity of ideas and discussions reflected the fundamental changes and challenges facing the industry, and how the retail experience is evolving to be smarter, easier and better. Smarter: Artificial Intelligence and the Smart Commerce Revolution…