As the all-important holiday shopping season is underway, retail marketers must consider which vital data-crunching tools will help increase efficiencies and create more targeted customer experiences. This is where artificial intelligence (AI) leads the pack. While brands are already heavily investing in AI to better engage today’s easily distracted consumers, there are many myths around…
By now, most businesses understand that ratings and reviews are a powerful tool to increase traffic, conversion and insights. One effective way to quickly collect more of this powerful content is product sampling. Product sampling campaigns are a quick and simple way for brands and retailers to increase product review content for both new and…
Macy's confirmed on Friday that it was suffering a credit card slowdown on one of the busiest and most important shopping days of the year. That trouble was resolved by Friday evening. "We have fully resolved today's system issues. We highly value our customers and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience today's system slowdown may have…
In episode 120 of Total Retail Talks, Stefan Lewinger, co-founder and CEO of sock subscription box service Sock Fancy, shares insights into the growth of the startup business, including why he believes in the future of subscription commerce.
Paper or plastic? Not too long ago, that was the only checkout question that consumers had to deal with. My, how times have changed. These days, whenever customers head to a checkout counter, they’re likely to deal with a barrage of questions, such as: Did you find everything? Do you have a loyalty card? What’s…
People working in the retail supply chain typically don’t like the words “block” and “chain” used in the same sentence. These words imply a disruption in the seamless flow of goods from producer to consumer. However, taken as one, the term "blockchain" may bring new life to the interconnectivity of the retail supply chain. Blockchain…
With all of the different technologies that retailers are using throughout their businesses, from in-store to distribution centers to their websites and apps, and more, it's critical that they have a system in place to evaluate the business benefits such solutions are providing them. That information is necessary to inform both current and future spend…
As a retailer, you’re most likely in the throes of planning and embracing for what one can only expect to be another ultra-competitive holiday shopping season. Epsilon recently conducted its annual Holiday Shoppers Voice® survey of retail customers to find out what’s on their minds for the 2017 holiday shopping season. The survey asks customers about different aspects of their holiday shopping process and experience from planning and budgeting, marketing influences on shopping decisions, loyalty programs and promotions, social media, and their shopping location. Several questions include comparable results to previous year’s surveys to identify change in shopping behaviors.
Furniture and kitchenware giant Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSI) is acquiring augmented reality (AR) startup Outward in an all-cash deal for $112 million. The furniture brand, which operates stores including Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, West Elm and others, will be using the startup’s 3-D imaging tech to “enhance and extend its high-touch customer service platform,” the company says. Outward, founded…
Tulip recently surveyed over 200 store associates to understand their experiences in brick-and-mortar stores. This report illustrates the detailed survey results and helps readers understand how sales associates are using mobile devices in-store. In addition, the report addresses store associates’ experiences using technology to interact with customers in today’s digital climate.
