Costco is testing a “search warehouse inventory” function on its mobile app that lets customers check local on-hand inventory, according to FOX Business. Reportedly, the tool is being beta-tested with only a select group of customers. For those with access to the tool, consumers can click “warehouse” at the bottom of the Costco app. Then,…

Savvy TikTokers are sharing ingenious methods to score discounted Starbucks beverages using the chain’s mobile app. For instance, a University of…

A new survey finds consumers increasingly using their mobile devices and retail apps to support the in-store shopping experience.

Albertsons has introduced a digital health and wellness platform that enables customers to track their health and wellness goals and receive rewards, including grocery discounts, for surpassing them. How much consumer appeal do you see in Albertsons’ Sincerely Health platform linking loyalty rewards to fitness, nutrition and mental health goals?

Microsoft and Google both revealed plans last week to introduce their own ChatGPT-style product, joining the hype around the AI-driven chatbot technology. Do you see ChatGPT and similar AI-driven technology transforming product discovery and online interactions for retailers?

Despite a few limitations, ChatGPT may massively impact how people search for, evaluate and purchase products in the future. Here are a few thoughts on how OpenAI’s new chatbot could be used in retail. What do you think of the potential for ChatGPT to elevate product search and chatbot conversations?

E-commerce has proven to be a huge area of growth for off-price luxury retailer Saks Off Fifth. In a keynote presentation at the NRF 2023 Big Show, Paige Thomas, president and CEO of Saks Off Fifth, explained about the retailer’s moves to capitalize on it.  What do you make of Saks Off Fifth’s belief that its online business will one day generate more revenue than its stores?

Those Netflix subscribers with a New Year’s resolution to get in shape can now pursue their fitness goals using exclusive content from one of the biggest names in athletics. Nike has partnered with Netflix on an initiative called the Nike Training Club. What value will Nike derive from its content relationship with Netflix?

After ramping up efforts to reduce friction in the online shopping experience over the pandemic, retailers are now reportedly focusing their investments on the in-store payment process. Will scan & go, smart carts, mobile payments or any other alternative payment method gain significant traction in 2023?

Walmart is rolling out a “Text to Shop” feature that allows customers to add items to their online shopping basket using text messages. To work, the free feature must be linked to the shopper’s Walmart account so their usually ordered items can be reordered. Will “Text to Shop” hold enough appeal to support wide use from shoppers?

Hat retailer Lids has launched a new store concept called Lids Hat Drop, which will focus on giving customers access to exclusive new products on a weekly basis. Do you see similar concepts to Lids Hat Drop being operated successfully in other areas of retail?

Public interests groups are taking aim at digital couponing, saying that the practice is discriminatory insofar as the less tech-savvy consequently pay more. Do you think it is accurate to say that digital coupons discriminate against some demographics?

The restaurant industry is debating the merits of dynamic pricing as the expansion of digital menus over the pandemic has made instant price changes easier. The big unknown is how patrons will react. Do you see more potential benefits or drawbacks to dynamic pricing at restaurants and other foodservice establishments?

Wonder, the latest venture from serial entrepreneur Marc Lore, supplies customers with chef-designed meals cooked from vans parked outside the their home. What do you think of the potential for the Wonder food truck service?

Hollister yesterday introduced Share2Pay, which allows customers (primarily teenagers) to shop for the items they want and then share their digital cart with their mom, dad or some other adult who will pay for the purchase. Will Hollister’s Share2Pay be well received by its teenage customers and their parents?

Mimicking on-demand working, Schnucks has introduced a “Schnucks Flexforce” option at select St. Louis-area stores that lets associates select both their shifts and preferred store locations. What do you think of Schnucks Flexforce and the potential to bring more of an on-demand working option to retail selling floors?

Suzy Davidkhanian, principal analyst at Insider Intelligence, believes that, while the pandemic spurred many consumers to adopt retail app technology as in-store pickup and other omnichannel practices exploded, “many features are gimmicky or glitchy and cause more friction than convenience.” In what ways are retail apps providing the most value, how are they falling short, and what’s their next evolution?

Instacart has unveiled Connected Stores, a bundle of six Instagram-linked technologies aiming to combine the convenience, speed and personalization of online grocery shopping with the inspiration and discovery that happens in physical stores. Does Instacart’s Connected Stores suite appear to go a long way in bridging the online and offline grocery shopping experience?

Starbucks is revamping its loyalty program and working an NFT platform into the mix, although it is not using that acronym to describe its digital art offerings. Do you see Starbucks’ implementation of NFTs as being worth the company’s investment given the controversy surrounding the technology?

Walmart says it is leveling up its virtual try-on technology in an effort to put its customers in clothing that fits their bodies right off the rack. Will Walmart’s upgraded try-on technology inspire shoppers to purchase more clothing?

Wegmans is ending the use of its SCAN app, saying that it could no longer afford the losses associated with the app as shoplifters exploited the technology. Is Wegmans’ experience with customers using its self-scanning tech to steal an outlier in retail or is it similar to the experience in other stores?

A new university study finds that the intimate nature of a smartphone causes consumers to reflect inward, elevating their preference for unique and self-expressive options while shopping, versus when buying products on a laptop. Should retailers and direct-to-consumer brands alter what they offer for purchase based on the device being used to shop their websites?

Instacart has retained Grammy winner Lizzo as the face of its biggest brand campaign to date to introduce Carts, an in-app experience that will enable pop culture personalities, retailers and online creators to share shoppable, curated content. What do you think of Instacart’s Carts in-app feature and the potential for grocery discovery online?

In pursuit of new ways to cut grocery costs as inflation continues to threaten household budgets, families have begun turning to apps that let them circumvent paying full price by pointing them right to the food that is nearing its sell-by date. How do you see the increasing popularity of food waste apps affecting the grocery and foodservice industries?

Instacart has introduced a three-pronged tiered-rewards program, Cart Star, to drive loyalty among its shoppers (delivery personnel). Will Instacart’s Cart Star rewards program lead to greater retention of its independent contractor workforce?

Best Buy is today opening a new digital-first, small box store concept that it believes will change the way consumers shop for the products it sells. Do you expect customers to respond favorably to the shopping experience offered in Best Buy’s new small format store in Monroe, NC?

McDonald’s has launched “Camp McDonald’s,” a campaign offering 27 consecutive days of food deals, menu hacks, musical performances and limited-edition merch drops — available only via the McDonald’s App. Do you see a month-long campaign such as Camp McDonald’s working for other food establishments and retailers trying to overcome summer traffic doldrums?

Walmart yesterday introduced two new augmented reality features designed to improve customers’ experience, whether they are shopping from home or in the retailer’s stores.  Is augmented reality technology becoming a must-have for retailers selling furniture and home décor?

If you live far from your favorite restaurant in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco or Miami that you lament not being able to order from, Uber Eats may have a solution for you. Does it make sense for Uber Eats to include a ‘get far off cravings shipped’ feature as a part of its app?

Amazon Fashion yesterday introduced its Virtual Try-On for Shoes, which uses augmented reality technology to help customers visualize how they will look in footwear from a variety of angles. Do consumers trust augmented reality try-on technology in making purchasing decisions?

In a new ad that launched last week, Apple highlights its privacy features by imagining the sale of a consumer’s data in a real-world, high-stakes auction.  What do you think about the effectiveness of Apple’s “Privacy on iPhone” commercial and the value of Apple’s positioning around privacy?

Short videos like those found on TikTok are a major source of entertainment today, especially for generations Gen Z and younger. Now an online grocery startup is utilizing the model on a platform of its own to get engage customers. Do you think the inclusion of TikTok-style, user-generated videos will boost engagement and sales?

Convenience store customers increasingly want to be able to place their food orders beforehand via an app, according to a new study. Will all big convenience store chains eventually need apps to facilitate advance ordering and delivery?

Asda is testing an hourly delivery option that lets customers communicate directly with the “personal shopper” who is collecting their orders in-store. Would enabling grocery shoppers to talk with their delivery personal help reduce substitution shortcomings and other e-grocery challenges?

Los Angelenos won’t have to wait on the ice cream truck rolling into their neighborhoods this summer on irregular schedules. They can simply go on an app and hail the truck to come to them. Do you expect consumers in Los Angeles to go for The Ice Cream Shop Robomarts?

Amazon has introduced a new program that may give third-party sellers another reason to do business with the platform instead of some of its rivals. What will Buy with Prime mean for Amazon, its third-party sellers and other e-commerce platforms?

Nike is opening a new hub solely for technological innovation that will be dedicated to improving the brand’s logistics and supply chain. Do you think a center geared toward supply chain, artificial intelligence and security tech is a worthwhile investment for Nike?

Google last week introduced two Google Maps-infused tools to optimize last mile delivery from order to doorstep. What will be the primary challenges retailers face building their own last mile delivery networks?

With e-grocery experiencing unprecedented adoption since the beginning of the pandemic, new shopper behaviors are emerging. One of them is that shoppers order via mobile far more frequently than from desktops. How should grocer assign resources when it comes to focusing on mobile apps vs. desktop sites?

Albertsons’ digital initiatives aim to solve its unique challenges when it comes to delivering customer-centric service.   What criteria do you think grocers and other retailers should use to determine whether to build, buy or partner to implement new technology solutions?

Walmart is looking to assure its new spring collections are the right fit for its customers. The retailing giant announced the rollout of try-on technology that it believes will lead to higher purchasing satisfaction and fewer merchandise returns. How will “Choose My Model” affect Walmart’s fashion reputation and sales?

A smartphone app meant to tackle the problem of food waste and help customers keep their grocery bill down in the process is hoping to make a name for itself in the U.S. How important do you think the reduction of food waste is to the U.S. consumer and what should grocers do to address the issue?

A new study shows hybrid shopping — mixing physical and digital channels in shopping journeys — is on the rise as shopping habits adopted out of necessity during the pandemic become routine. In what ways did the pandemic inspire the rise of hybrid shoppers, and what uniquely new habits do you see?

McDonald’s recently announced that for a limited time, starting today, January 31, patrons will be able to purchase four special menu items via a new “Menu Hacks” section of its app, or at participating restaurants.  What can retailers learn from McDonald’s hacks menu program?

Instacart has added a number of digital ad products on its site to give brands more opportunities to reach consumers as they shop for the groceries. How should grocers that use Instacart for deliveries view its expanded ad network?

According to a new report, the restaurants that go “digital-first” are the ones that are set up for success. Do you think that QR code-based menu and payment solutions, and pay-at-table technology, are what customers are looking for from restaurants?

The Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has opened two robotic stores in the Netherlands with plans to add two more. The debut of the stores, which merge online ordering with in-store pickup, marks the company’s first foray into Europe. What interests you most about the ochama concept being launched by JD.com in The Netherlands?

Albertsons, the third-largest grocer in the U.S., and Tesco, the UK’s largest retailer, recently launched their own retail media networks to join the race against Amazon.com and other retail rivals. Can newer entrants find significant success in the retail media space against other retailers who have a head start?

Nike in November set member engagement records with the launch of its first globally coordinated Member Days event. The event, started in 2019, offers loyalty members special access, offers and rewards over five themed days. Would an extended-days program similar to Nike’s Member Days work for other retailers?

New research finds that 54 percent of all shoppers recently purchased a new brand because it was less expensive. However, nearly a third were influenced by a digital coupon. Do you think digital coupons have a greater capacity to influence product trial and other shopper behaviors than paper coupons?