Today In Retail: Amazon Brings Contactless Technology to Entertainment Venues; Salesforce Partners With FedEx on Logistics Tools for eCommerce

In today’s top retail news, Amazon is partnering with ticketing company AXS to bring its palm scanning technology to live entertainment events, while Salesforce and FedEx are working together on a set of tools to help eCommerce merchants keep up with consumer demand for fast, free shipping. Also, CarParts.com is seeing record sales as it updates its digital experience, and virtual sales assistants are building the relationships that chatbots cannot.

Amazon One Palm Scanning Tech Moves Into Entertainment With AXS Collab

Amazon is taking its palm scanning technology, Amazon One, out of the retail aisles and into entertainment venues through a partnership with ticketing solutions firm AXS. The first freestanding contactless ticketing stations will be installed at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, though AXS plans to install the technology at more of the 350-plus venues it works with as desire for contactless ticketing and entry grows.

Salesforce, FedEx Ink Multi-Year Logistics Partnership for eCommerce Merchants

Salesforce and FedEx have partnered to provide merchants with new tools in a bid to meet rising demand and consumer expectations for fast, free shipping and returns while keeping supply chain costs low and increasing efficiency. Lidiane Jones, executive vice president and general manager of Salesforce Commerce Cloud, told PYMNTS that retailers will likely be the fastest adopters of the new offering, launching in the spring, but “companies of all industries … can benefit from this partnership.”

CarParts.com Turns Digital DIY Trend into String of Record Results

CarParts.com has recorded six consecutive quarters of record sales, and CEO Lev Peker told PYMNTS that he plans to keep that momentum going. “The pandemic accelerated a lot of trends and we are lucky to be in an industry that is benefiting from those trends,” he said. Among the changes made since Peker took over are a newly overhauled digital storefront and additional payment options.

Virtual Sales Associates Are Eating Chatbots’ Lunch

Arthur Veytsman, co-founder and CEO of video commerce platform Immerss, told PYMNTS that chatbots can be useful in replacing phone calls about basic questions such as item availability and order status, but eCommerce still needs live sales associates to build relationships with consumers. Veytsman said use of Immerss’ one-on-one virtual shopping feature has picked up steam in recent months as people have grown more used to being on camera and shopping from their home. “You actually do feel like you’re in a store, besides the touch and feeling of everything,” he told PYMNTS.