Digital Innovation

Regardless of how clever today’s e-commerce storefronts are, their digital interfaces lack one particular quality: the ability to mimic human expression — and research indicates it’s more than just a makeover. E-commerce and the “digital storefront” have existed for a little more than two decades. In that time, online shopping has come a long way…

In 2021, I told Total Retail readers that retailers were two years away from pivotal innovations across several key technology trends. I argued that we would begin to feel the convergence of these technologies happen in 2023, and that retailers would need to get moving — then — to be in a position to succeed,…

As we step into 2024, the retail landscape is undergoing a transformative shift, with virtual retail stores emerging as the next big online trend. This shift isn't just a fleeting fad but a response to changing consumer behaviors and technological advancements. As 3D for the web becomes more mainstream, traditional e-commerce websites are becoming flat…

Video shopping has emerged as an interactive digital experience allowing shoppers to connect with knowledgeable experts in real time. However, brands seeking to capitalize on its potential are realizing that seamlessly executing video shopping poses intricate challenges. In my experience leading retail experience strategy for brands across 10 countries, I've seen firsthand the stumbling blocks…

In episode 424 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Darren Abbott, chief creative officer and senior vice president of global product development and innovation at Hallmark, a heritage American, family-owned greeting cards company operating a diversified portfolio of businesses. Listen in as Abbott discusses the launch of Hallmark + Venmo Cards (0:50), why the two…

As each day passes, the difference between physical and digital storefronts becomes increasingly blurred. Technological advancements, a wealth of creativity in the retail sector, and the exciting emergence of Web3 integrations and activations continue to bring physical and digital retail experiences closer together. For brands, online interactions go beyond sales as we enter an era…

For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), assimilating artificial intelligence (AI) into their everyday operations seems overwhelming, which creates hesitancy to its widespread adoption. A combined study by Deloitte and Stanford University discovered that 25 percent of smaller businesses currently use AI in chatbots, predictive analytics, and marketing automation. In comparison, there's a 40 percent adoption…

Venmo users who regularly use the app to gift money can now do so with an accompanying physical Hallmark card, the two companies announced Wednesday. In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, the PayPal-owned digital payment platform Venmo and the greeting card company Hallmark are giving customers a new, unique way of giving gifts. Here's how it works:…

A lot has changed since the pandemic, yet one debate continues to divide retail experts and it involves the uncertain future of brick-and-mortar stores. Pessimists argue that the return on investment is too low, and that the migration to e-commerce is only just beginning. Others believe that in-store shopping serves an experiential purpose, which cannot…

In a hyperconnected world, consumers are constantly being exposed to content from all angles. As a retailer, this can be an opportunity and a curse. On one hand, it’s easy to promote brand content across digital platforms, yet on the other, it can be incredibly difficult to stand out — especially as four in 10…