One of the first criticisms leveled at online apparel sellers was customers’ inability to try products on prior to purchase — and despite many advances in technology, that fact remains a major ecommerce challenge. However, Amazon is using AI to try to close the appearance vs. reality gap in multiple ways. According to a blog…
Helsinki-based Amer Sports, parent company of brands including Wilson, Salomon, Peak Performance and Arc’teryx, has filed for an IPO with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. No information about the number of shares to be offered, their price or the IPO’s date is currently available. The company’s sports and outdoor brands offer apparel, footwear, equipment,…
Aldi International Buying Asia, the discount supermarket’s Hong Kong-based hub for sourcing Asian products and global ocean freight logistics, has adopted the One Network Intelligent Control Tower on the solution provider’s Digital Supply Chain Network. The technology will help Aldi centralize global shipping volume, increase cost transparency and improve its control over the movement of…
Walmart has teamed up with gaming development platform Unity to offer its developers the ability to integrate Walmart commerce functionality into the games and apps they build. Unity is one of leading platforms for the development of real-time 3D content, with a suite of software and AI solutions that enable game and app developers to…
Visa has launched a new Web3 Loyalty Engagement Solution designed to “usher in the future of customer engagement and loyalty” with a suite of immersive products that brands can offer their customers, including gamified giveaways, augmented reality treasure hunts and new ways to earn and spend loyalty points. Consumers’ loyalty program preferences and expectations are…
Private equity firm Sycamore Partners has completed its acquisition of Chico’s FAS in an all-cash transaction valued at $1 billion. The Chico’s, White House Black Market and Soma brands will now join the KnitWell Group, a holding company Sycamore Partners created for the Ann Taylor, Loft and Talbots brands in September 2023. With the addition…
Silhouette of construction worker with crane and cloudy blue sky for preparation of welcome 2024 new year party and change new business. By David S. Bauders, CEO SPARXiQ After the winter holiday break, and a period of reflection and introspection, distribution executives return to work facing the business imperatives of driving growth, profitability and strategic…
Starbucks will now fill customers’ own clean cups with their favorite drink, whether they’re ordering in-store, via mobile or at a drive-thru. The retailer has been testing the reusable model in multiple markets since 2021 and expanded the program to stores in 12 Northern California locations in August 2023, and it’s now available nationwide and…
CVS Pharmacy has evolved its loyalty program into two simplified membership tiers: the free loyalty tier will remain branded as ExtraCare, while the paid membership — previously called CarePass — has been rebranded as ExtraCare Plus. Launched nationwide in 2019, the newly renamed ExtraCare Plus program currently has more than 6.5 million members, on top of the more…
TikTok and Peloton are teaming up to launch a new fitness hub on the social media platform — #TikTokFitness — marking the first time that Peloton will produce bespoke social content for a partner outside of Peloton-owned channels. Within the new space on TikTok, Peloton will have its own dedicated hub — #TikTokFitness Powered by…
