Top five retail technology trends for 2018: next-gen engagement, flexible checkouts and reimagined AI
Manhattan Associates predicts five key technology trends will influence the UK retail environment and business strategies in 2018.
Top online retailers for usability: ASOS tops table as Harrods lags
ASOS is the best performing online retailer when it comes to customer experience, while Harrods is at the bottom, according to new research looking at UK ecommerce usability trends.
Spotify plans $23bn IPO
Spotify plans to sell its shares publicly on the New York Stock Exchange in a move that could value the music streaming platform at more than $23bn (£16.7bn), despite never making a profit.
Omnichannel retail trends: On-pack promotion still drives loyalty
On-pack promotion drives loyalty even in the digital age according consumer research into the UK’s shopping habits.
Top 100 UK exporters: Ecommerce firms play bigger role
Seventeen ecommerce companies featured in the 4th annual Sunday Times SME Export Track 100 league table, which ranks Britain’s small and medium-sized (SME) private companies with the fastest-growing international sales.
Google Play allows Kenya’s M-Pesa for mobile payments
Google has integrated Kenya’s primary mobile payment service M-Pesa into its Google Play store as an alternative mode of payment, potentially opening up to more African consumers with no credit cards.
Walmart plans online home shopping platform
Walmart is set to launch an online home shopping experience that will let shoppers discover items based on their style.
17 million Brits ready to pay with wearable devices
One quarter (26%) of British shoppers expect to start using “tap and go” contactless payments with a smartwatch, bracelet, keyring or other forms of wearable payments, according to new research.
How can AI empower the retail workforce?
AI has been identified as a threat to the warehouse and logistics industry, but what about retail workers? A new report from Blue Yonder looks at how AI could support rather than replace human retail workers.
Harvey Nichols revamps online merchandising to boost sales
Harvey Nichols has seen onsite conversion grow following an improved online merchandising strategy which encourages customers to explore its website in more depth and for longer.
Cryptocurrency payments ‘will be a reality on the high street within two years’
Over a third (35%) of SME owners expect cryptocurrency payments to become a reality on the high street within two years, according to new research.
What’s driving engagement forward in the automotive industry?
Consumers don’t trust the car industry, but great service offers brands a way to build long-term relationships and is changing the role of dealerships in driving loyalty, according to new research.
European car search trends: YouTube rules UK but the Spanish click most
When it comes to car-related engagements, dramatic demand for YouTube in the UK, a movement towards mobile in Spain, and a digital dominance for Volkswagen across virtually all major European car markets, according to new research.
Amazon usurps Google and Apple as world’s most valuable brand
Amazon has overtaken Google and Apple to become the world’s most valuable brand after seeing its value increase by 42% last year.
Amazon to deliver Whole Foods groceries to Prime members
Amazon has started delivery Whole Foods groceries to Prime customers in the US, six months after the retail giant acquired the supermarket chain.
Brits switch to mobile grocery shopping as prices rise
Four in five UK shoppers have noticed prices increase in the shops, with 45% of shoppers increasing their smartphone shopping usage, according to new research.
Alibaba sales soar 56% after record Singles Day sales
Record spending at its Singles Day shopping event helped sales at Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba saw surge 56% in the last three months of 2017 on the back of record-breaking Singles day sales.
eBay to start selling via Mashable “mobile shoppable images”
Mashable is teaming up with eBay to offer shoppable editorial across the UK and US, optimised for mobile.
Amazon posts record profits after holiday season boom
Amazon saw sales jump by nearly a third last year, helped by growth in its Prime delivery service.
AI helps pick right flowers for Valentines day
Floral provider, 1-800-Flowers.com is using tech and other innovations to make it easier than ever to win hearts on Valentine’s Day, including AI-powered gift concierge and voice shopping.
