Omnichannel

Cloud computing and open source are changing the IT economics of the retail industry, enabling retail chains of all sizes to achieve an integrated view of their business.

While Staples has apps across platforms serving customers, the metrics were showing it that getting the m-dot strategy right was critical to the overall marketing strategy for the brand because this was the platform on which the customer was engaging with Staples’ other materials. "A huge number of our emails are opened on mobile," said Brian Tilzer, vice president of e-commerce and business development at Staples. "A large number of searches are coming through mobile. It shocked us."

New York & Company has officially launched its mobile commerce site, marking a new chapter of growth for the company. The company partnered with Usablenet to power the site. It's compatible with Android, iPhone and Blackberry devices. Featuring its full inventory, the mobile site is designed to cater to the needs of the New York & Company customers' busy, on-the-go lifestyles.

Home Depot partnered with Scanbuy, Inc. to launch an in-store service and ad campaign in which shoppers use their smartphones to scan quick response (QR) codes located on shelves, signage and advertisements.

Republic, a men’s and women’s multibranded fashion retailer, announced the launch of a mobile-optimized website that creates a rich and unique shopping experience for consumers whether they're at home, on the go or in a Republic store.

The new overstockArt.com Oil Paintings app allows consumers to browse through its gallery's robust selection of fine art and use the paintings to decorate their walls and share their home redesigns on the go. Using the built-in camera, users can take photos of their space and visualize oil paintings hanging on their own walls. 

Carnaby, one of London's leading shopping destinations for fashion and lifestyle, has noticed a positive spike in visits to its website since releasing the new color branded QR Code. The hit rate to carnaby.co.uk increased by 258 percent when launched at the beginning of May 2011.

Consumers today are looking for a fun and easy shopping experience. Will technology like Google Wallet help with those goals?

Junior retailer Mandee is using mobile barcodes to engage consumers and have them participate in its ongoing campaign. The company partnered with junior denim brand Vanilla Star Jeans for the mobile initiative. Both companies are rolling out a design challenge for students at New York City’s High School of Fashion Industries.

Mia Sara, a Manhattan transplant in Los Angeles, misses window shopping in New York, but has found a replacement — shopping on her iPad.