How Target is embracing the human touch to beat the competition

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Instead of resisting change when new competitors such as e-commerce retailers and on-demand delivery services came into the market, Target is investing in its…

The future of retail: More tech and even more human

Matt Matsui, senior vice president of products and strategy at Calabrio, says digital transformation isn't just coming — it's finally here and retailers must…

Amazon shuttering Whole Food's reward program

April 25, 2018

Fulfilling a statement made early on following its acquisition of Whole Foods, Amazon is closing down the grocer's less than one-year old rewards program and…

Mobile pay, AI, biometrics bringing new muscle to automatic merchandising

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

The National Automatic Merchandising Association trade show floor featured POS equipment tailored to a consumer who is comfortable with mobile payment, and…

Wayfair launches one-day Way Day retail shopping experience

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

There's Black Friday and Cyber Monday and now comes Way Day, which will take place April 25 at Wayfair.com. The retailer is launching its own retail 'holiday…

Meijer hops on scan-and-pay bandwagon

April 23, 2018

Meijer is the latest supermarket chain to jump on the shop-and-scan bandwagon and will roll out the technology to all its stores by the end of the summer…

Target launches drive-up pickup service

April 23, 2018

Target is offering customers a new way to grab what they need from the retailer with its new "Drive Up" service available in Florida, Texas and throughout the…

Evolving payments tech challenges merchants to keep pace with shoppers' expectations

by Will Hernandez — Editor, NetWorld Media Group

Retailers must be aware of what's changing in payments to better serve their customers. That was the overarching message to retailers from a group of…

Walmart building, remodeling and tapping interactive displays

April 19, 2018

Walmart is building 20 new stores and remodeling hundreds of existing locations, mostly in Florida and Texas, with new designs on everything from aisle layout…

Amazon offering in-home gadget service

April 19, 2018

On the heels of announcing a partnership with Best Buy to sell its Fire-enabled televisions, Amazon is reportedly also setting up its own 'Geek Squad…

Amazon partners with Best Buy on Amazon Fire TV strategy

April 19, 2018

Amazon is partnering with Best Buy in an exclusive agreement to sell its Amazon Fire smart televisions sold via Best Buy's Insignia brand and Toshiba.

Are you an innovative customer whisperer?

by Chip Bell — Customer Loyalty Consultant/Author, Chip Bell Group

Chip R. Bell explains why retail success starts with customer intelligence that provokes insight, not just customer information, and includes shifting the…

How major mergers are changing your favorite private brands

by Bryan Pearson — President, LoyaltyOne

Bryan Pearson ponders what will happen to the Whole Foods brand now living under the ever expanding Amazon umbrella.

TGI Fridays focused on personal, genuine customer interaction

April 17, 2018

TGI Fridays is partnering with SessionM, a customer data and engagement platform, to enhance its omnichannel strategy and drive stronger connection with…

Walmart prepping hundreds of high-tech pickup towers

April 17, 2018

In the quest to provide consumers fast and easily product pick up, Walmart plans to expand its 'high-tech' pickup towers at stores. In the past year Walmart…

Personalization, physical-digital integration dominating retail innovation

by Elliot Maras — Editor, Kiosk Marketplace & Vending Times

Recognizing the need for both physical stores and e-commerce, retailers seek solutions — including self-serve kiosks — to deliver more interactive customer…

5 ways AI can do the heavy lifting in the retail customer experience

Katrina Gosek, senior director, digital customer product strategy at Oracle, explains why success in the next era of retail won't come from adding the latest…

Amazon expands Key access nationwide

April 13, 2018

Amazon's Key smart entry technology is now available nationwide and the in-home Key delivery program is available to Prime members in 37 specific cities.

Macy expanding off-price outlet strategy

April 13, 2018

Macy's, in a bid to lure price-conscious consumers, plans to open 100 Backstage location across the nation this year.

Nordstrom launches men's store in Manhattan

April 12, 2018

History is being made this week as Nordstrom's launches its first-ever Manhattan, New York store.