Technology

Last week came news that luxury handbag retailer Coach has joined a growing number of retailers in deploying mobile point-of-sale (POS) technology in its factory stores. The thinking is that the added flexibility of being able to check out anywhere in its stores will lead to happier customers and in turn repeat customers, ultimately resulting in higher store sales. Will that be the case or is a mobile POS system not worth the investment? Let us know your thoughts on the future of payment technologies — both in-store and online — by going to Retail Online Integration's Facebook page to comment. We'd love to get a conversation going on this important topic. Thanks!

Microsoft reportedly is expanding its retail footprint in advance of its big reveal of Windows 8. Analysts say it's a smart move even as some question whether the company can generate enough buzz to make Windows a viable alternative to the iOS-Android duopoly in the mobile device market. Its got to give consumers a reason to go out there and upgrade, said Israel Hernandez, senior analyst and managing director at MKM Partners LLC. 

Coach has joined the growing group of retailers deploying mobile point-of-sale technology as it seeks greater productivity and transaction throughput in its factory stores. The retailer also boosted its CapEx spending by nearly 25 percent this year, with another significant investment increase planned for fiscal 2013, in part to support technology and digital enhancements. CapEx spending for fiscal 2012, which ended June 30, 2012, totaled $184 million, up from $148 million spent the previous year, according to Coach CFO Jane Nielsen. The retailer projects an even bigger increase as much as 35 percent – for the current fiscal year.

The Home Depot said Tuesday it agreed to acquire U.S. Home Systems Inc. for $94.9 million in an effort to expand its kitchen and bath resurfacing offerings. Atlanta-based Home Depot will pay $12.50 per share in cash for U.S. Home Systems, or about $94.9 million. U.S. Home Systems had about 7.6 million shares outstanding as of March 31. The offer is a 38 percent premium over its closing share price of $9.06 on Monday. The news sent the stock up $3.35, or 37 percent, to $12.41 in morning trading.

eBay cancelled what's thought to be thousands of listings over the weekend after a glitch wiped out critical data from the item descriptions. eBay sent an email to those affected promising to issue double refunds to sellers who paid insertion fees and must now edit the listings to add back in the data and then relist them. eBay sellers were initially alarmed over the weekend when some of their listings were cancelled due to supposed "Duplicate Listing" policy violations. 

Cabela's is leaving something behind as it begins its journey to become a truly omnichannel retailer: its paper catalogs. The retailer's initial steps will focus on a print-to-digital transformation, tests of targeted shipping offers, and new mobile and digital efforts for the holiday season, according to CEO Thomas Millner. "Late last year, we began to develop a multiyear approach to reverse the four-year downtrend in our direct segment and transform our 51-year-old legacy catalog business into an omnichannel enterprise supporting transformation for digital, e-commerce and mobile while optimizing the customer experience with our growing retail footprint."

Build-A-Bear Workshop announced that it's introducing a newly imagined store design in six markets across the U.S. in 2012. The new store design, which has been over two years in the making, merges the Build-A-Bear Workshop's hands-on bear-making process with technology to enhance the customer experience. “I'm very excited about the enhanced features that will allow us to continue to lead in the interactive retail space,” said Maxine Clark, founder and chief executive bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Unless you've been living under a rock lately, you know that showrooming is one of the hottest topics in retailing. Consumers are increasingly using their smartphones to shop online for better deals while standing in store aisles. Macy's just announced an innovative approach of using its audio system speakers to market to consumers already standing in-store. What makes Macy's approach so interesting is the speed and affordability of instantly implementing mobile marketing across hundreds of stores. 

Best Buy plans to hire 500 new Geek Squad staffers. The move comes some two weeks after the retailer said it would lay off 600 existing workers in the tech support arm of its business as it looked to focus the group less on basic installation services and more on remote tech consulting. It also comes as Verizon announced it was partnering with Geek Squad to offer services to meet the information technology requirements of small and mid-size businesses across the country. 

In an effort to counter crowded stores and limited seating, Apple is reportedly revamping the in-store configuration of its Genius Bars, according to IFOAppleStore.com. By turning the "bar" 90 degrees perpendicular from the far wall of the store, smaller Apple stores will be able to offer more bar stools to customers with repair needs or computer questions.