Technology
July 8, 2015 at 4:19 pm
As retailers get smart with technology to help them pinpoint their offerings, we’re getting a clearer understanding of what shoppers love. But what do they hate? Not many people talk about that, but it’s very useful to delineate for the sake of getting to know your customers better. If you can figure out what shoppers…
June 30, 2015 at 2:42 pm
The explosive growth of device connectivity, wireless technology, cloud computing and advanced analytics has driven the Internet of Things (IoT) from vision to reality. Devices with embedded sensors are enabling advanced, automated communications for businesses and customers. These connected devices are driving deeper engagement, providing new experiences and opportunities, creating new revenue opportunities, and enabling…
June 29, 2015 at 3:28 pm
The use of handheld RFID readers for retail cycle counting and inventory management is exploding — and for good reason. They’re inexpensive, tangible and convenient, and provide a familiar form factor for store associates. However, while handhelds are well suited for initial retail pilots, deploying them in scaled-up enterprise environments requires careful thought and planning.…
June 19, 2015 at 5:07 pm
To increase customer lifetime value (CLV), your business needs to be able to meet each customer’s individual expectations over and over again. Those expectations vary widely from one customer to the next, of course. However, when it comes to recurring purchases or usage, customers demand three things in particular: speed, choices and personalization. Delivering on…
June 19, 2015 at 3:34 pm
Alibaba wants to put a robot, specifically one named Pepper, in your home — or store. The Chinese e-commerce giant and Foxconn Technology Group announced they're each investing $117.8 million in Japanese telecommunications giant SoftBank’s robotics unit, SoftBank Robotics Holding Corp. Softbank will own 60 percent of the joint venture, with Alibaba and Foxconn each…
June 18, 2015 at 3:37 pm
Missed the Fashion Tech Forum (FTF), which was held last week in New York City? Don’t worry, I was there! I’ve condensed the day into seven points you need to know. Here goes:
June 16, 2015 at 2:59 pm
M.Fredric is a California-based apparel retailer that sells its products via nine brick-and-mortar stores and an e-commerce website. Like many omnichannel brands, managing inventory levels in real time to prevent out-of-stocks and overstocks was a challenge for M.Fredric. In addition, a lack of real-time sales data meant buying decisions were delayed, a serious inhibitor for…
June 8, 2015 at 5:02 pm
Working the Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition (IRCE) in Chicago is always a snapshot into the state of e-commerce. My first priority each year is to walk the show floor to find out what are the obvious “needle movers” that need to be part of everyone’s internet marketing plans. This year’s list of “duh, of course…
June 5, 2015 at 3:23 pm
At the Internet Retailer Conference and Exhibition (IRCE) in Chicago yesterday, Total Retail's Executive Editor Joe Keenan interviews Scott Cohn, vice president of e-commerce at Chinese Laundry, a women's footwear brand, about the company's move to a
June 5, 2015 at 3:14 pm
Williams-Sonoma is rolling out a fast, easy and secure way to pay online that brings a whole new meaning to instant gratification. The retailer is teaming up with Visa to launch a marketing campaign and four-part video series called “Time to Savor Summer.” The video series, launched in support of the availability of Visa Checkout…
