Technology
August 20, 2020 at 11:48 am
The COVID-19 outbreak is turning out to be the biggest unprecedented event in modern times. But we all can agree that we're at a better place than we were in the 1920s when the last pandemic broke out. Today, information technology (IT) has enabled businesses to operate despite closing their physical doors. Thanks to IT…
August 20, 2020 at 10:11 am
"Shelter in place" and "safer-at-home" orders are starting to lift in states across the country. Retailers are getting the green light to reopen their shops, but the reality they're returning to is entirely different than the one that they left. The impact of COVID-19 on the retail industry has been profound and is constantly evolving.…
August 13, 2020 at 4:53 pm
A few jobs back and several years ago, I worked for an oil company. I started right before a boom-and-bust cycle. I don’t know how I always get so lucky, but suffice to say my long-term incentive options were timed in the absolute worst possible way. I tend to be the poster child of “buy…
August 13, 2020 at 2:56 pm
Although the surge in contact-free pickup and delivery offerings has been tied to the current pandemic, it’s likely their popularity within the retail industry will remain well after the crisis passes. As such, retailers will need to figure out how to maintain these services while still keeping a tight rein on labor, operational and systems…
August 11, 2020 at 3:39 pm
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, a retailer’s ability to operate safely depends on the dual effectiveness of its social distancing measures and sanitation protocols. It’s the new reality of 2020, which only intensified with the resurgence of the virus across the U.S. in July. That showcased exactly why retailers must have the right precautionary measures in…
August 10, 2020 at 2:40 pm
In the debut episode of Total Retail Tech Insights, Melissa Campanelli, brand and content director, Total Retail, and Joe Keenan, editor-in-chief, Total Retail, offer listeners a warm welcome to the brand's new show. The pair discuss all things related to the launch of Total Retail's newest podcast, including Tech Insights' focus, content strategy, targeted audience,…
August 6, 2020 at 4:23 pm
COVID-19 has brought lockdowns, job losses and bankruptcies. However, it has also led to tech innovations, widespread tech adoption, and changing consumer mind-sets. And the retail industry, already facing an e-commerce revolution, has had to change faster than anything else. As lockdowns ease and nonessential physical stores slowly re-emerge from dormancy, it’s a good time…
August 6, 2020 at 3:49 pm
The Kroger Co. announced the launch of a contactless payments pilot across the QFC division, located in Seattle, allowing customers to use their mobile device for a more seamless checkout experience. The pilot includes the acceptance of Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay, mobile banking apps and contactless chip cards, underpinned by near-field communication (NFC)…
August 5, 2020 at 11:27 am
During our July installment of the Women in Retail and Total Retail Virtual Exchange, Rodney Hutton, chief marketing officer, Ethan Allen, participated in a discussion with Brendan Witcher, vice president, principal analyst, Forrester. The two discussed a variety of topics, including how Ethan Allen has evolved its marketing strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic, how a traditional…
August 4, 2020 at 2:21 pm
In today’s high-tech, high-touch world, shopping in a brick-and-mortar store is as old school as it gets, right? Think again. From the nearly ubiquitous self-serve checkout stations at grocery stores to new cashier-less store technology, in-store automation technology is transforming nearly every aspect of the traditional retail experience. Retail automation isn’t a new concept, but…
