Lisa Johnston
Lisa Johnston is Senior Editor at RIS. Connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on Twitter at @thatljohnston.
ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR
July 2021
July 30
1822 Denim’s Perfect Fit Grows Conversions 4x and Shrinks Returns 48%
The denim retailer has been able to reduce its return rates by nearly 50%, as well as increase conversions and right-size its inventory levels through virtual try-on technology and recommendations.
July 28
Samir Desai Joins Abercrombie & Fitch As First Chief Digital and Technology Officer
Samir Desai has been named chief digital and technology officer of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., a new role for the company.
July 28
Express Piloting Social Commerce Platform
Apparel retailer Express is wading into social commerce with the pilot of a platform geared toward fashion influencers, who will be able to earn commissions.
July 26
Gap Inc. Streamlines Loyalty Programs
Gap Inc. is simplifying its loyalty programs by folding four brand initiatives into a single system.
July 21
Bed Bath & Beyond Testing Scan & Buy In New NYC Flagship
Bed Bath & Beyond shared details on its revamped New York City flagship store and launched a new scan-and-buy feature to mark the occasion.
July 21
Target & Ulta Ready Joint Shop-in-Shops
Target and Ulta Beauty shared more details about the shop-in-shop experiences coming to Target stores.
July 16
Bed Bath & Beyond Taps Casper For Flagship Shop-in-Shop; Expands Fulfillment
Bed Bath & Beyond is opening a new flagship store in New York City on July 22, and direct-to-consumer darling Casper will join the fray its first branded shop-in-shop.
July 14
Valerie Jabbar Named SVP of Kroger
Valerie Jabbar has been named senior VP of The Kroger Co., succeeding the retiring Steve McKinney.
July 14
7-Eleven Bringing Mobile Checkout To All U.S. Stores By Next Year — And Blasting Slurpee Into Space Next Month
7‑Eleven has expanded Mobile Checkout technology to more than 2,500 new stores, with plans to equip the full U.S. fleet by next year. It's also blasting a Slurpee into a space.
July 09
Levi’s Doubling Down On AI to Power Demand Forecasting & CX
Levi’s investments in artificial intelligence to improve both customer experience and demand forecasting are paying off, and the company will prioritize its fulfillment capabilities to further leverage stores and distribution centers in order to mana
July 09
Walmart’s In-Store AR Experience Has Shoppers On the Hunt for Waffles + Mochi
Walmart has introduced a new augmented reality shopping experience in stores that encourages families to explore the aisles in search of Waffles + Mochi characters.
July 08
Vera Bradley Pushes Forward With Virtual & Appointment Services
Vera Bradley shared more details about the steps it’s taking to boost its in-person and virtual customer service and experience capabilities.
July 07
Ahold Delhaize Expanding Wearable Robotics Pilot
The Ahold Delhaize supply chain network (ADUSA Supply Chain) is expanding its use of exosuits in its grocery distribution centers following successful pilots.
July 07
Belk Shakes Up Leadership
Belk is shuffling its leadership team — mostly notably including a new CEO — as the department store plots a post-bankruptcy future.
July 07
First Look: Bloomie’s Retail Concept Store
It’s always been “Bloomie’s” to some, and now the Macy’s-owned retailer is leaning into the legacy with a new concept store.
July 07
Walgreens Opening 9 New Micro-Fulfillment Centers As Personalization Pays Off
Walgreens Boots Alliance is increasing investments in micro-fulfillment centers as the retailer furthers its tech-enabled healthcare growth plans.
July 06
Kroger Amps Distribution Automation
The Kroger Co. is beefing up distribution automation in a move that will double its capacity in the Ohio region.
July 02
Meijer's Interactive End Caps Tap AI & Computer Vision For Phygital Engagement
The “lift and learn” technology uses computer vision and artificial intelligence to identify which products are being handled through such techniques as object recognition, gesture recognition and vector analysis.
June 2021
June 29
E-Fulfillment Race In Tight Labor Market Means Efficiency Trumps All
Retailers are experiencing tremendous pressure on their fulfillment operations at a time when their workforce pool has been unprecedently squeezed.
June 28
As Freshly Scales Under Nestle’s Wing, Personalization Becomes Paramount
When Freshly, the Nestle-owned subscription service focused on delivery healthy prepared meals, wanted to boost its personalization efforts, the company knew it had to get a better grip on its data management.
June 25
Nike’s Record Quarter Fueled By 300 Million Members and Their Consumer Insights
Growth in member demand outpaced total digital growth to hit a new record of $3 billion, supported by strong member engagement, average order value and buying frequency.
June 25
Predicting the Future of Frictionless E-Commerce: Up Close with ChannelAdvisor’s Mike Shapaker
While it’s unclear how much of the pandemic-prompted digital disruption has staying power, it’s safe to say consumers have gotten a taste of the potential of tech-enabled convenience, and they like what they see.
June 24
First Look: Lego’s New Interactive Retail Concept Store
The Lego Group will open the doors to a new store format that bridges digital and physical — one it intends to bring to more than 100 stores across the globe this year. Get a look inside.
June 23
Duluth Trading’s Digital Tool Customizes ‘Perfect’ Pants
Known as Duluth Custom Built, the tech walks users through seven steps to choose a made-to-order fit with more than 350 waist and inseam combinations, as well as a choice of slim, standard or relaxed fit.
June 21
First Look: MAC Cosmetics Concept Store
After a year-plus of being shut in, consumers are ready to travel again and intend to look good while doing so.
June 18
Walmart Opening Drone Operations in Bentonville Store; Intros QR-Enabled Vaccine Records
Walmart is investing in drone delivery after a successful pilot showed encouraging results, joining retailers like Kroger in accelerating fulfillment-via-flight ambitions.
June 14
As Chewy Sales Soar, Labor Shortages Throw Wrench Into Growth Plans
In addition to beefing up its digital experiences, Chewy is allocating investments toward managing the labor shortages that are making staffing its expanding fleet of fulfillment centers a challenge.
June 11
Hy-Vee Tags Google For CX Upgrades
Hy-Vee is teaming with Google to bring its customer experiences to the next level.
June 11
Walmart Brings Academy Training to Consumers
The free program will provide free virtual classes to anyone, Walmart employee or not, with the intent to provide an introduction to and functional knowledge of a range of topics.
June 10
Lululemon Keeps Eye On New Store Opportunities As DTC Revenue Grows 55%
While Lululemon's digital investments continue to pay off as it adjusts to its new post-pandemic future. the company intends to keep stores a key component of its go-forward strategy.
June 07
How Living Spaces Tapped Live Chat In its CX Evolution
Learn how the retailer's implementation resulted in not only bringing its customer service response times to previously unheard-of levels, but also prompted a meaningful cultural shift among its team members.
June 02
Amazon Prime Day 2021 Promises 2 Million Deals
Amazon Prime Day will be held June 21-22 this year, and the company is once again throwing its weight behind its roster of small business sellers.
June 01
Walmart Digitizes Tire-Buying CX
As part of its new customer service, the retailer is leveraging its partnership with video creation firm Eko for a new interactive Walmart Tire Finder experience.