Digital Innovation

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…

Have you ever wanted to buy out a billboard next door to Snoop Dogg’s mansion? While this may have just been a very specific pipedream a few years ago (and highly dependent on how close Snoop’s mansion is to Highway 101), it's now a very real possibility in the metaverse. Once a futuristic buzzword, the…

In a groundbreaking move that challenges industry norms, Kroger, the largest grocery retailer in the United States, recently announced its departure from print circular distribution, opting instead for a digital-first approach. This bold decision signifies a significant milestone for the grocery sector as retailers grapple with the daunting task of reevaluating traditional marketing channels in…

For the last decade, the retail industry has been on an existential search for the future of its own soul. Consumers armed with smartphones increasingly turned to browse-and-buy shopping from virtually anywhere, flipping the nature of retail on its head. Meanwhile, traditional brick-and-mortar retailers have struggled to find effective ways to keep pace with digital…

Have you ever compared your online shopping experiences to your in-store experiences? Physical and digital retail experiences should both be inspirational and filled with entertainment and emotion. But that doesn’t change the fact that when it comes to engaging customers and eliciting sales, physical retail has a “leg up” on e-commerce because real-world shopping experiences…

Jay Robinson is chief innovation officer and senior vice president of global business development at Renfro Brands, a 100-year-old legacy sock and hosiery manufacturer and retailer. In this video interview with Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan, Robinson discusses his role and its impact across the organization, how sustainability is integrated into Renfro Brands' holistic innovation strategy, and…

According to FoodIndustry.com, the U.S. food market is worth $1.5 trillion annually, or roughly 4 percent of the domestic gross product. $800 billion of that revenue is from supermarkets and food stores. Compare this to the U.S. apparel market, which is estimated to be worth $318 billion (Statistica). And while the retail industry often focuses…