Technology

Given the growing returns crisis within the United States' e-commerce and apparel sector, the urgency to address the core issues cannot be overstated. Why? Because a staggering 2.6 million tonnes of returned clothing have amassed in the country, signaling a critical juncture for retailers to rethink their strategies. In 2023 alone, clothing returns soared to…

Customer data platforms (CDPs) are technology solutions that combine data from multiple tools to create a single centralized customer database containing data on all touchpoints and interactions with your product or service. With that data in hand, marketers are able to create the personalized experiences that consumers have come to expect and in many cases…

Artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing how retailers and merchants attend to customers and even how they manage inventory, all via technology such as chatbots and facial recognition. And now, AI can potentially transform lending in the sector, too. Banks, lenders and merchants with white-labeled lending offerings could eventually use AI to address credit risk assessment,…

Relentless changes in technology and software are challenging the retail industry to keep pace with adoption. In an era when digital transformation is the key to staying competitive, retailers continue to grapple with a myriad of challenges ranging from legacy systems and data silos to ever-evolving consumer expectations. In addition, retailers can’t get by simply…

For retailers, consumers are, and always have been, the beating heart of business success. In today’s world of ample choice for customers, this vitality is at an all-time high. Consumer buying power is higher than ever as is the importance of building loyalty and trust among them. Retailers know it's crucial to anticipate customer needs…

How generative artificial intelligence will transform online shopping is a hot topic in e-commerce. One year after generative AI started to dominate headlines, what have we learned about its real impact on e-commerce? This article presents findings from iAdvize’s inaugural Barometer of Generative AI in E-Commerce — a report that uses first-party data to share…

At a session during the eTail West show on Tuesday, James Kim, vice president of digital and technology at Bloomingdale's, shared how the retailer is incorporating artificial intelligence into its business to bring more humanity to a very human activity: shopping. Kim outlined Bloomingdale's innovative approach to integrating AI to enhance customer experiences and drive…

For some time now, many retailers have been exploring the use of artificial intelligence to enhance various aspects of their business, from inventory placement to merchandising assortments. However, the conversation gained renewed momentum in 2023 with the emergence of ChatGPT and generative AI. This increased interest in the potential of AI to transform retail operations…

Artificial intelligence (AI) may be the next big thing, yet most retailers wait on the sidelines, watching what other businesses reap from this new digital technology. It’s not that they don’t want to pursue this new technology. Working in low-margin businesses, retailers understand the value of a technology that can promote significant organizational change and…

Nearly every retailer is heavily investing in improving their online and in-store channels. However, not every retailer is considering the scenarios in which online channels are being used in a retail store. In fact, nearly half (46 percent) of global in-store shoppers reported using a smartphone to enhance their most recent shopping journey. Despite this…