Walmart sign

Walmart Again Reports 37% Growth in Ecommerce During Q2

| Daniela Forte and Mike O'Brien

Walmart reported a 37% increase in ecommerce sales in Q2, the same as in Q1 and supported by strong growth in grocery, as its massive digital investments and focus continue to pay off in its locked battle with Amazon. The company is projecting full-year ecommerce growth of 35%, leveraging its huge store base for fulfillment.

Top 6 Features of an Ecommerce Inventory Management System

| Brian Barry

If you’re thinking about replacing your inventory management system, a search will turn up literally hundreds of commercially available systems, including specialized ones that may not fit your multichannel business. Here are the top 6 features that you should be considering when upgrading your system, and what to look out for.

Ecommerce Operations Summit Call for Speakers Closing Soon

| Mike O'Brien

It’s coming down to the wire for our Ecommerce Operations Summit 2020 call for speakers, which closes next Friday, Aug. 16. Our 9th annual event will be held April 14-16, 2020 at the Marriott Orlando World Center in Orlando, FL – a nice change of venue, don’t you think? Get your submission in now and elevate the conversation!

Target Expands Curbside Pickup to 1,550 Stores for Back to School

| Mike O'Brien

Target is expanding its free curbside pickup program, Drive Up, ahead of the busy back-to-school season, making it available at 1,550 stores and adding coverage in the Northeast, the company reported in a blog post. Several markets are being added in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, with expansion in others.

kroger store

Kroger Pilots 30-Minute Grocery Deliveries in Cincinnati Area

| Mike O'Brien

In the never-ending quest for delivery immediacy, grocer Kroger is testing out 30-minute deliveries in its home market of Cincinnati, cutting the promised time from Amazon’s Prime Now in half. Called Kroger Rush, the service costs $5.95 per order, with the first order free, and requires an app download.

Improving Store Inventory with Technology, Processes

| MCM staff

Compared to distribution or fulfillment centers, store inventory is often seen as the weakest link when it comes to SKU accuracy, with rates that can be as low as 65%. As omnichannel demand picks up, stores are playing a critical role in ecommerce order fulfillment. Here are some quick tips from an expert panel at Ecommerce Operations Summit.

retail technology

How Consumer Demands and Technology Are Evolving Customer Experience

| Alan Finlay

Technology is shifting how merchants interact with customers more rapidly than ever before. Trends like the Internet of Things (IoT), connected devices and new approaches to knowledge management mean that merchants have a lot on their plates when it comes to evolving consumer expectations. Here is how retailers can win in the ever-changing retail environment.

Direct-to-Consumer Omnichannel Personalization Without the Creep Factor

| Mark Smith

For most companies, customer experience is the new battlefield and the so-called “creep factor” is a concerning issue. In 2018, 24% of customers believed that ads they were shown were relevant, and three-fourths of those believed they were “creepy.” As companies move their personalized targeting to all channels, not just ads, it is even more important to ensure they don’t cross the creepy line.