Digital Innovation

4 Ways Retailers Can Heighten Digital Transformation
August 15, 2017 at 9:58 am

Digital transformation is sweeping the retail industry. As such, it's time for retailers to brush up on how to turn this evolution into a competitive advantage. While most of today’s consumers seek a digital experience, many retail leaders lag behind, instead proffering traditional market tactics that work, but don’t help the business excel. How can…

Voice: The Next Frontier of the Retail Digital Experience
August 2, 2017 at 9:53 am

When it comes to interacting with retailers and brands, there are two things which customers crave: convenience and ease of use. Convenience, in that a customer expects to be able to reach the store or brand whenever they want to, wherever they are. They also want that point of contact to be uncomplicated and easy…

Could X-Data Save Retail?
July 26, 2017 at 4:27 pm

2017 has been a rough year for traditional brick-and-mortar retailers. As many as 8,600 stores may close by the end of the year, shattering the previous record of 6,163 in 2008, according to a Credit Suisse report. This is due in large part to more than 300 retailers filing for bankruptcy halfway through 2017, a…

How Retailers Can Pierce Amazon’s Impenetrable Fortress
June 28, 2017 at 4:01 pm

Amazon Prime. Amazon Flex. Amazon Dash. Amazon Go. What’s next? Everyone jokes that Amazon.com is taking over the world, but it seems as if it's truly dominating the U.S. retail market and beyond. From supply chain to customer loyalty to a culture of innovation, Amazon is attacking retail from all angles, and the industry needs…

Estée Lauder Introduces AR Try-On Experience
June 22, 2017 at 11:15 am

Shopping online for beauty products can be difficult for consumers. Products look different on each person’s skin tone and face shape. So when it comes to beauty, consumers are, naturally, more likely to move forward with a purchase after seeing a realistic preview of the product on their own face and skin. That’s where ModiFace’s…

Kellogg Adds Former Wal-Mart Exec to Board
June 21, 2017 at 12:51 pm

Kellogg Company recently announced the election of Carter Cast to its board of directors. As Kellogg continues to grow its presence online, Cast brings extensive experience in the digital arena. He previously helped build and then lead Walmart.com as its CEO. Cast also was the CEO of online retail company Hayneedle, Inc.; led the launch of the…

Best Buy to Test Try-Before-You-Buy Option
June 13, 2017 at 9:37 am

Later this month, Best Buy will start advertising try-before-you-buy rentals on its website for cameras, audio equipment and fitness trackers, the company recently told Recode. Best Buy is partnering with a San Francisco-based startup called Lumoid on the trial. The electronics retailer will feature the try-before-you-buy option on BestBuy.com and then send interested customers to Lumoid’s…

How James Allen Uses Video to Showcase its Diamond Selection
June 12, 2017 at 12:19 pm

Johanna Tzur, chief marketing officer at James Allen, a diamond bridal jewelry retailer, spoke at IRCE last week about how her company uses video to showcase products. By using 360-degree video imaging and technology to zoom in on the diamonds 40 times, James Allen helps consumers feel confident in their shiny new purchases.

Disruption is the Mother of Invention … Again
June 7, 2017 at 8:39 am

America has too many stores, too much inventory and too few shoppers. Macy’s, J.C. Penney, Sears, J.Crew and other retailers have announced that they will be closing stores because they can’t justify the return on these expensive fixed assets — and because consumers no longer choose to spend their money there. The internet’s influence on…