Visual search and in-store kiosks are coming more into focus, with the category powering consumer adoption and shopping at a pace that has led executives to dub the business “visual commerce.” Target, in one case, has incorporated Pinterest’s visual search tool for a few years. And Slyce...
The subscription model and the sharing economy are two of the fastest-growing and most compelling sectors in the business landscape. Similar consumer and demographic trendlines power growth in each industry, as these models tap into a need for flexibility, convenience and affordability. And while these models have...
Bookshop is aiming to help independent bookstores expand their range with an easier on-ramp to digital sales. The site’s purchasing experience is similar to Amazon’s, but a portion of its revenue is split among independent bookstores on its platform. And in restaurant news, Chipotle Mexican Grill is seeking to support...
Retailers that sell products and services online have been steadily removing payment frictions from their online checkout processes, adopting checkout features like refund policies and free shipping. And, in grocery, innovators are connecting retailers with shoppers to help sell surplus food that might otherwise go unsold. All this, Today...
The potential of social shopping has been rich ever since large tech companies put their efforts behind linking content to commerce. Results, however, have so far fallen below expectations. Amazon, in one case, had to close its Spark social shopping entry last year – but multiple market dynamics...
The electric scooter and bike race in Washington, D.C. has become more complicated in the last few months, as the district has moved both to expand and contract its dockless electric vehicle program. And in retail innovation, Indonesia’s Blibli.com has opened a cashierless brick-and-mortar store location for its BlibliMart brand....
The sharing economy is changing with the coming of age of Generation Z, as businesses struggle to balance the needs of established shoppers and younger consumers. Another challenge is the increasing preference of Generation Z toward social media marketplaces that eschew established eCommerce platforms, causing companies to...
Automated retail is a burgeoning space, with sales growth via many unattended retail devices significantly increasing. However, the industry faces challenges from old machines that haven’t been updated and the deployment of EMV-enabled cards/methods in the U.S. And in coffee retail, Starbucks is amplifying its brand with the Global Coffee Alliance and a...
Social media platforms are aiming to harness their contextual commerce potential. TikTok, which is mostly a destination for users seeking short-form videos, is now looking to better monetize its service. And in restaurant innovation, Domino’s has become a leader in mobile and digital technology as it blazes its own path in the...
