Retail Topic Center

Retail IT: How the retail industry uses technology

Wal-Mart plans to send automated shopping lists to its mobile app

Wal-Mart plans to use big data about a customer's usual shopping to automatically create shopping lists for them on its mobile app.
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Retailers didn't do Windows 8 any favors

Retailers share part of the blame for poor Windows 8 sales and the ensuing decline of PC shipments, analysts contended today.

Hirai remakes Sony in first year as CEO, now must win consumers

In his first year as Sony CEO, Kazuo Hirai has remade the company, cutting thousands of jobs, selling off large businesses and core properties, and moving divisions around the world.

Retailer hauls Visa to court over $13.3M fine for payment card data breach

Genesco, a specialty retailer of footwear, sports apparel and related accessories has sued Visa USA for $13.3 million in fines that were assessed against the company after a credit card data breach in 2010.

Restaurant operator automates but doesn't cut staff

An airport restaurant operator invests heavily in automation -- but doesn't use that as a rationale for cutting staff.

Walmart, jobs and the rise of self-service checkout tech

Walmart this year plans to install 10,000 self-service kiosks in hundreds of stores. But even as it moves ahead, other retailers are bailing on the technology.

Microsoft unveils future retail store plans

Microsoft on Wednesday revealed six locations for new retail stores it will open in early 2013, including four transformed from its holiday specialty stores, dubbed "pop-ups," that it established in October.

Visa creating 800 seemingly well-paying IT jobs in Austin

Credit card issuer Visa USA plans to create a global IT center in Austin, Texas, and hire about 800 people to run it.

Google acquires promotions platform firm Incentive Targeting

Google has acquired Incentive Targeting which offers a software-as-a-service platform for promotional campaigns to the grocery industry.

Apple discounts iPads, Mac laptops 8%-10% for 'Black Friday'

Apple today cut Mac laptop prices up to 10% and iPad prices as much as 9% during its typically tightfisted one-day 'Black Friday' deals.

ingogo secures $1.5m investment

App vendor, ingogo, has secured a $1.5million investment from leading investors in an attempt to fund further expansion of the business' taxi booking and payment platform.

IT spending lagging behind Hong Kong retail growth

Thanks to the influx of mainland tourists, Hong Kong's retail industry has experienced unprecedented growth in the past few years. The Hong Kong Census and Statistic Department shows the city's retail sales in the first 11 months of 2012 reached HK$399 billion, a 9.9% growth from the previous year.

Q&A: Drakes Supermarkets CIO, Rod Koza

Keeping IT one step ahead of expansion plans at independent grocery chain Drakes Supermarkets is CIO Rod Koza's remit for 2013.

10 e-commerce platforms make selling simpler

We take a hands-on look at 10 e-commerce tools that can help businesses large and small sell products and/or services online. Insider (registration required)

First look: Google Wallet lets you tap 'n' spend

Google's smartphone payment app, Google Wallet, has brought the ease of paying for goods with the tap of a phone to America.

The Art & Science of Fashion

Predictive analytic tools, which rely on historical data to make future demand projections for any given product, can play a role even in predicting the whims of fashion. But right now, the hottest area for picking fashion winners lies at the intersection of analytics and social media.

A tale of two Apple Stores (the first two)

It was the spring of 2001--a year that had not yet turned sour beyond belief--when Apple chose to open its very first two retail stores. These two would be the first of some 25 stores opening later in the year. And in the years to come, they would be only two of over 300.

Visual tour: Top selling or innovative gadgets from holidays past

While this holiday season's biggest gifts will be e-readers, tablet computers and games, such as Call of Duty, Black Ops, those products were built off the back of forty years of innovation. Take a look back at some of the biggest breakthroughs in technology and biggest selling holiday gifts.

The retail paradox

The industry that often lags in infosecurity is setting the pace in providing business intelligence

Barnaby Jack hits ATM jackpot at Black Hat

Barnaby Jack hit the jackpot at Black Hat on Wednesday. Twice.