The 'store as a community gathering place' emerges as a way to engage customers

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Interactive technology, besides empowering consumers, gives stores new reason to take new measures to make customers feel at home.

Amazon's Whole Foods Market acquisition points to a changing role for physical stores; millennials hold the key

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Amazon's acquisition of Whole Foods Market is yet another sign – the biggest to date – that retail is being redefined by multiple shopping channels.

Millennials weigh in on how they shop

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Attendees at the Interactive Customer Experience Summit in Dallas took advantage of a chance to find out first hand during a panel featuring seven millennial…

Hughes Launches Affordable Integrated Broadband and 4G Network Platform

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes), a leader in managed network solutions, today announced the addition of the Fortinet FortiGate 30E to its portfolio of…

Report: Omnichannel retailers will likely be operating one channel by 2027

June 20, 2017

If a new research report proves correct, there won't be many omnichannel retailers operating at the close of the next decade.

Dermstore, Calendars.com boost sales with customer segmentation platform

June 19, 2017

Calendars.com and Dermstore are enjoying a 2 percent sales boost and a 10x-lift in return on advertising spend following a deployment of Custora's Segmentation…

4 insights you can unlock by mapping the customer journey

By uncovering the path your customers follow when they engage with your brand, you'll gain four valuable insights that can help you build a stronger, more…

TSA to tap emerging tech to spur better customer experience

June 16, 2017

Airline passengers may soon stop complaining about long lines at airport security checkpoints as the TSA is aiming to test several emerging technologies to…

Neiman Marcus embracing innovative tech from the front door to the dressing room

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

From the minute a shopper walks into the new Fort Worth, Dallas-based Neiman Marcus, digital technology is nearby. Here’s the scoop on how the retailer's iLab…

Retail tech investment expectation bodes well for tool makers

June 15, 2017

A new Accenture Strategy report reveals greater tech investment by retailers could lead to $2.95 trillion in sales for technology makers.

'Interesting times' highlight ICX Summit 2017

by Christopher Hall — w, t

Brands really can't treat any of their customers like they're all alike anymore, not just the millennials, especially now that the technology is available to…

Interactive Customer Experience: The start of a daunting, yet exciting journey

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The ICX Summit, held by the ICX Association last week in Dallas, gave retailers and interactive technology players a chance to learn why companies have to…

Macy's taking new approach to promotions, media, loyalty

June 14, 2017

Macy's aims to reconnect with loyal shoppers, lure in new shoppers and deploy a new mix of marketing media.

A generational perspective: How our past defines future buying behaviors

Everyone's trying to figure out what drives consumers to purchase. But to understand how they shop, you need to know what makes them tick.

ICX Summit honors Under Armour as 'influencer' of the year

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The Influencer of the Year award, presented at the ICX Summit in Dallas last week, went to Under Armour for its continued devotion to creating unique and…

Consumers expect ease of use, security from bank's mobile app

June 13, 2017

Retail bank and credit card customers now prefer mobile to all other channels, but rate ease of use as a differentiator among top-performing mobile apps.

7 tips to combat the Amazon effect (hint: it's the hair of the dog that bit you)

Consumers overwhelmingly want more technology in brick-and-mortar stores. And with more consumers willing to show up and shop at stores that have it — beefing…

J.C. Penney targeting college living furnishings to drive sales

June 13, 2017

J.C. Penney is hoping a full-throttle focus on college kids' desire for furnishings will help spur sales though it's going to be a challenge given hefty…

Walmart pilots self-service kiosk for fast online order delivery

June 12, 2017

A few lucky Walmart shoppers in Oklahoma City are the first to test an automated kiosk being used to distribute online grocery orders in under a minute.

SoftBank buying Boston Dynamics to boost robotic advancements

June 12, 2017

Robotics pioneer Boston Dynamics, owned by Google's Alphabet Inc., is being acquired by SoftBank Group Corp.