buy now pay later
Are BNPLs Whistling Past the Regulatory Graveyard?
We have written about how regulators around the world have to varying degrees put buy now pay later in their crosshairs. As the popular payment
Pro Features
Walmart Raises Its Retail-Media Game
Walmart has stepped up its efforts to advertise its own products – and that of third-party consumer products – using high-traffic inventory throughout its stores. Known as retail media, this area has been picking up over the past decade.
Location Intelligence
Vibenomics and Placer.AI Accelerate the Rise of Retail Media
In-store digital advertising platform Vibenomics has announced a collaboration with location intelligence leader Placer.ai. In short, the latter’s location data will empower and elevate the former’s in-store audio and display advertising.
digital out of home
Spectrio Boosts Analytics with InReality Acquisition
The digital signage firm Spectrio has strengthened its analytics capabilities with the acquisition of InReality, a firm that offers an AI-driven, fully anonymous audience sensing
Apple
Immersive Marketing Ticks Up After Apple Vision Pro Launch
Due to Apple’s classic halo effect, spatial computing in general is gaining steam in the wake of Apple Vision Pro’s Launch. We look at the last week’s uptick in immersive marketing & commerce.
podcasts
Ep. 18 Examines 3D’s Impact on Retail
Real-time 3D is replacing mobile as the main environment for delivering transformative immersive experiences for retail brands. So believes Sara Oberst, Global Head of ATM
Pro Features
Will Drive-Up-Only Grocery Stores Be a Thing?
The latest trend in logistics and yield optimization in retail has emerged: Drive-up-only grocery stores. This takes the curbside pickup option that inflected during the pandemic, and makes it the only option. We examine the latest attempt at this model.
Microsoft
Microsoft’s Retail-as-a-Service Ratchets Up
Joining Microsoft’s ongoing Retail-as-a-Service efforts, the latest from Redmond is a new partnership with retail tech startup AFI to create and support smart stores. Known as Smart Store Analytics, it provides retailers with shopper and operational analytics.
Augmented reality
Walmart Doubles Down on Visual Commerce
Walmart is jumping on the visual commerce wagon, starting with optics. Last week it acquired optical tech company Memomi to accelerate efforts around virtual eyewear try-ons.
Privacy
What’s Behind the Rise in Retail Media Networks?
You may have noticed an acceleration in the number of headlines about retail media networks. For those unfamiliar, these are self-contained ad networks launched by retailers. We examine the drivers & dynamics.
Amazon
Study Reveals Inflation’s Impact on Amazon’s Brick and Mortar Stores
We’ve been enjoying InMarket’s ongoing series of reports that derive insights from actual retail foot traffic patterns. InMarket does this by collecting its permission-based in-store
Amazon
Amazon’s RaaS Conquest Takes the Next Step: Whole Foods
After rolling out its cashierless tech at airport Hudson News locations, Starbucks and fashion outlets, Amazon’s latest move is to integrate it at Whole Foods. We examine in light of Amazon’s larger RaaS play.
Pro Features
Microsoft Advances its RaaS Play
Microsoft has announced that it’s partnering with FedEx for a “logistics as a service” offering for retailers and etailers. This is pursuant to Microsoft’s broader “retail-as-a-service” (RaaS) play. We examine strategic drivers.
Amazon
Amazon Carries the RaaS Torch Into Fashion
After piloting Just Walk Out at Amazon Go, airport-based convenience chains, salons, grocery and even Starbucks, Amazon has now tipped its hand for the next move: clothing stores. We examine the strategic implications.
Pro Features
Microsoft ‘Cloud for Retail’ Joins the RaaS Race
Microsoft is joining the RaaS landscape, or at least it will soon. February 1 marks the general availability of Microsoft Cloud for Retail. It’s is all about federating data to inform strategy and optimize operations – everything from inventory to store layouts.
Reputation
Reputation Retail Report Highlights Need to Double Down on CX
Reputation has released its annual report on the state of retail. The report involved Reputation analyzing a mere 3.7 million reviews by shoppers to see
Amazon
Amazon Advances its RaaS Play with Starbucks
After piloting its “Just Walk Out” retail tech at Amazon Go and a handful of airport-based convenience chains, Amazon is breaking out the big guns: Starbucks. We examine its latest move.
Pro Features
Walmart Leans in to Conversational Commerce
Walmart has announced that it’s acquiring conversational commerce platform Botmock for an undisclosed sum. The company provides tools for businesses to create their own chat-based customer service and transactional functions. We examine.
Amazon
Amazon Advances its Retail-as-a-Service Play
One of our ongoing areas of coverage and analysis is retail-as-a-service (RaaS). And one of the biggest players tackling this sector is the mighty Amazon. We examine its latest moves.
Retail
Walmart Revs Up its RaaS Engine, Part II: Delivery
One week after we examined Walmart’s new retail-as-a-service play, it’s doubling down with a similar service for delivery. Known as GoLocal, it will package up Walmart’s delivery logistics engine for third-party retailers to raise their delivery game.