News Briefs

International children’s clothing retailer Mayoral is tapping AI-powered e-commerce and CRM capabilities to bolster its customer experience. 

The company is working with image and video platform Cloudinary, along with their partner CoreMedia, to introduce video and image optimization regardless of user bandwidth, or device or browser type, as part of Mayoral’s digital transformation goals. 

The automated process is working alongside an elevated CMS platform to deliver visual content on an expedited time frame. Other companies leveraging this tech include Dune London, Neiman Marcus, Minted, Paul Smith, Wren Kitchens, Rapha, and River Island. 

"To keep online shoppers engaged and loyal, images and video on e-commerce sites not only have to look really appealing, but also perform well across all devices," said Shelby Britton, senior director product marketing for Programmable Media at Cloudinary.

E-commerce marketplace JD.com is rolling out tech-powered authentication measures in order to reduce instances of counterfeit products and expedite verification processes. 

The new capability, called “JD Smart Check,” checks the status of imported goods, inspecting for quality and authenticity leveraging x-ray fluorescence analysis, serialized tracking codes, supply chain monitoring, and product inspection videos. Additionally, the company is tapping blockchain-powered traceability to increase transparency across its supply chain. 

[Also read: Gucci Launches Digital Flagship Store with JD.com]

The patented fluorescence tech allows the company to quickly generate authenticity verification reports for cosmetics and personal care products in mere minutes — a process created in partnership with the Cosmetics Technology Center of China Inspection and Quarantine Science Institute. 

JD.com serves nearly 600 million customers, hosting major procurement centers in Japan, South Korea, and Europe to support a global network of vendors across 16,00 warehouses.

Schnucks has launched a companion app for its rewards program, giving members the opportunity to tap into savings not only at the company, but with other local retailers. 

The company partnered with rewards company Upside on the co-branded app, piloting in seven Evansville, Indiana stores. 

In order to use the app, consumers must download it after following a prompt via email or QR code. Once they are registered, they can access savings from Schnucks and other participating fuel and restaurant retailers. 

[Read more: How Schnucks Optimized Frontline Operational Workflows and Fine-tuned Flexible Scheduling]

Any redeemed offers for Schnucks products are cashed out via Schnucks Rewards dollars, which are then deposited into the loyalty program’s rewards account.

“Schnucks is always looking for opportunities to provide our Schnucks Rewards members with unique programs and opportunities to save,” said Bob Hardester, Schnucks SVP/CIO and chief supply chain officer, in a statement. “Our collaboration with Upside and the launch of this co-branded app pilot in Evansville showcase our commitment to delivering value and supporting the community.”

Disney will open Mickey & Friends Holiday Village – an immersive pop-up marketplace in Los Angeles, CA, on November 4 and 5. 

The shoppable experience will feature products from over 70 collections including Baublebar, Forever 21, Loungefly, shopDisney, Stoney Clover Lane and more. The holiday village will transport guests into a festive wonderland full of Mickey & Friends, including gifts, treats and photo ready backdrops. 

The experience is complimentary and guests can register to attend online starting today. Opening hours will be 12pm – 9pm PT. A stand-by line will be available open during operating hours on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The experience has an online component for those that can't attend in person. Disney's Mickey & Friends Holiday Village online offers hundreds of holiday products November 4 – January 7.

Mickey & Friends Holiday Village experiences include:

• The Wintery Mickey & Friends Chalets will showcase the latest collections from select brands like Baublebar, Forever21, Loungefly, shopDisney and more are available for purchase on site. Stoney Clover Lane will be offering an exclusive holiday-inspired collection only available for purchase at the Mickey & Friends Holiday Village and while supplies last.
• Mickey's Magic Post Office offers a seasonal interactive experience with light and sound, alerting guests of a holiday mail delivery.
• Mickey & Friends' Holiday House allows visitors to pose for a shareable Disney Holiday themed postcard with friends.
• Festive treats are available for purchase at Chip n' Dale's Cocoa Caravan.
• A hands-on demo of the 2D platform adventure game featuring Mickey & Friends, Disney Illusion Island, is available. 

The TJX Companies shut down online shopping on HomeGoods.com October 21, 2023, just two years after launching its online shopping experience.

The off-price retailer, which owns HomeGoods, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, Sierra, and Homesense, made the decision to focus its resources on its more than 900 brick-and-mortar stores across the United States, according to a statement provided to RIS. 

As of last Saturday, HomeGoods stopped taking orders from customers, but the retailer said it will complete its final shipments.

“HomeGoods.com will continue to provide décor inspiration and trends for our customers,” it said, and stated that shopping at online sister sites www.tjmaxx.com, www.marshalls.com, and www.sierra.com, “will not be affected by this decision.”

According to a recent quarterly SEC report filed by TJX, net sales from the e-commerce sites combined amounted to less than 2% of total sales for each of the second quarters of fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, as well as each of the first six months of fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023. Meanwhile, the company’s HomeGoods e-commerce website represented less than 1% of HomeGoods net sales for both the second quarter and the first six months of fiscal 2024.

As the off-price retailer looks to refocus on the physical, it confirmed all of the associates affected by this decision have been offered other jobs within the company. 

Wholesale food retailer US Foods Chef’store is investing in supply chain efficiency, tapping into artificial intelligence and machine learning tech to bolster efforts and improve the customer experience. 

The company is partnering with RELEX Solutions to strengthen its forecasting, replenishment, space planning, promotion planning, and optimization efforts, which will impact the more than 85 Chef’stores locations across the U.S. 

[More Foods-Based Value Chain Investments: Sainsbury's, SpartanNash, and Casey’s Bolster Business Growth Efforts]

By tapping into this technology, the company can better forecast demand, optimize replenishment, automatically generate planograms to improve store layouts, and better plan out promotions to elevate the consumer experience. 

US Foods Chef’store said the investment will help drive additional operational efficiencies across merchandising planning as it focuses on “providing restauranters, smaller foodservice operators, and price-conscious community members the products they need, when they need it.”