Technology

Fraudsters of all stripes are at their most active in the fourth quarter of the year. There are several proactive measures that retailers can put in place to lower the volume of fraud, and my advice is to get this plan together by the end of Q3 so as not to rely on last year’s…

With smartphones enabling today’s consumers to be connected at all times — including when shopping in brick-and-mortar stores — retailers have been forced to cater to shoppers wandering store aisles staring at their phones. From beacons to dressing rooms equipped with iPads to virtual reality installations, today’s retail stores bear little resemblance to the mom-and-pop…

Back in April, Facebook announced that retailers would now be able to use its Messenger app to sell directly to consumers in a chat window. Some of the first brands that jumped on this opportunity included 1-800-Flowers.com and Spring. Now, more brands are using artificial intelligence (AI) as a selling and communication platform. AI (e.g.,…

Signet Jewelers said last week that it would test new technology in some of its Kay Jewelers locations that will confirm the authenticity of the gems it sells. The move comes after allegations arose in May and June that the company was swapping diamonds. During its second-quarter earnings call, Signet CEO Mark Light said that…

The most massive and unexpected retail success story of the summer so far wasn't really even about retail. It was about catching, training and battling virtual monsters. The Pokémon Go augmented reality (AR) app was released in North America on July 6. It was downloaded approximately 7.5 million times in the first week and was…

Thirty years ago I worked as a loss prevention officer at a major national retailer. For hours at a time, I walked the aisles, keeping an eye out for suspicious characters. When I spied a shoplifter, I followed them out of the store, confronted them, and either recovered the pilfered goods or contacted the police.…

Technology allows retailers to collect data — and lots of it. Brands like Warby Parker and Uber have turned industries on their heads by collecting and using data to make better, smarter decisions. “Best practices go out the window when you prove, with data, that they aren't the right practices for you,” explains Avery Cavanah,…

Retail is undergoing its biggest evolution to date. Consumer expectations are on the rise, and a generation of younger shoppers is changing the way brands think about engagement, loyalty and the customer experience. With so much change, it’s inevitable that there will be winners and losers when the dust settles. In fact, we’re already seeing…

To help celebrate its 50th anniversary, Best Buy is showcasing some of the latest technology it sells in a house of sorts it has temporarily put in the middle of the Mall of America. The display, called Best Buy Tech Home, opened in the mall's rotunda on Monday and will stay open through Sept. 17. Inside are…

In the short time since its release in early July, the Pokémon Go app has gotten millions of players outside and moving. Worldwide, users are flocking to locations, or Pokéstops, where the pocket demons dwell — which could be inside your store. Brick-and-mortar stores, restaurants and other businesses that opt to pay the Pokémon franchise…