| News about digital retail commerce |  |
- Wal-Mart teams with Marvel on AR gaming app
Wal-Mart teamed with Marvel to launch an augmented reality game application that rolled out last week along with the U.S. release of "The Avengers." To unlock superheros, players must visit Wal-Mart stores and scan codes on in-store displays in several different departments. The Grocer (U.K.) (5/8)       | Know What to Ask Product Recommendations Providers Product recommendations on your site can boost conversions, average order values and shopper loyalty. But, there are many providers in the market, and it can often be confusing to understand the differences. This buyer's guide includes questions to ask or things to consider when evaluating product recommendations vendors. Learn more at igodigital.com/buyersguide. | | Online Retail Trends |  |  | | - The benefits of expanding online channels
The biggest U.S. chain retailers ended last year with 2.2% fewer stores as more consumers shifted their shopping online, and the growth of e-commerce has retailers including Lowe's shifting capital investment to their web efforts. "The smart chains are the ones looking to grow online because there aren't that many places left in the U.S. that warrant the cost of building another big-box store," said industry consultant Will Ander. Internet Retailer (5/8) - Lowe's adds Android app with m-commerce
A new Android application from Lowe's includes m-commerce capability as well as a store finder and integration with the My Lowe's program. The app includes a bar code scanner for comparison shopping in-store and the option for users to assemble a shopping list. MobileCommerceDaily.com (5/9)  | Earn 2X rewards points on shipping costs with The Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express OPEN. Designed to earn Membership Rewards® points faster:
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  - Shopper marketers favor the mature digital solutions
Shopper marketers say that mobile and other new digital tools such as QR codes show promise but aren't quite living up to the hype yet, according to a Forrester analysis. "Mobile is the next big thing, but it is still next and not quite now," wrote Forrester's Tracy Stokes. The report indicates that shopper marketers found older digital tools such as e-mail, text messages, retail-specific content and brand websites had matured to the point where they were properly aligned with the marketing dollars allocated to them. MediaPost Communications/Marketing Daily (5/8) - Would Ol' Blue Eyes check in with Foursquare?
Is Foursquare hip? A couple of old Frank Sinatra haunts -- Barney's Beanery in Los Angeles and Monte's in Brooklyn, N.Y. -- were asked to chime in on the location-based check-in application both restaurants have adopted as part of their social media strategies. "We know it's worked for other people. But it hasn't translated much here," said Tina Esposito, Monte's manager. At Barney's, "we are starting to invest more time on Foursquare, because you can see the feet on the ground," said A.J. Sacher, regional manager. ClickZ (5/8)  | Hiring exceptional talent is critical to the success of your business. Whether it’s the executive who offers visionary leadership, or the sales professional who won’t settle for less than 100%, a business needs great people to thrive. This guide provides best practices for securing the top talent you need to drive business results. |
 - Macy's to add online shopping at 300 stores this year
Macy's has been boosting its investments in IT as it moves toward an omni-channel retail model and plans to outfit 300 stores to handle online order fulfillment by the end of the year, vice president Brian Leinbach said at a conference this week. Online sales at Macys.com and Bloomingdales.com rose 40% last year. Internet Retailer (5/8)  | Which do you choose: Customer frustration…or channel integration? Today's consumers expect to shop the way technology lets them work and live: easily, efficiently and seamlessly across channels. Aberdeen's 2012 Analyst Insight on the Omni-Channel Retail Experience explains how your competitors make that happen – and how you can too! This $399 value is now yours free. Download the report now! |
- Brand-related content is best for creating engagement, Facebook says
Marketers shouldn't try to humanize their brands with chatty Facebook posts about things unrelated to their core identity, Facebook's Sean Bruich says. Staying on-topic and focusing on brand-related content is a better way to drive engagement and build relationships with fans, Bruich says. "By far, the biggest predictor of engagement was that the post was on a topic relevant to the brand. ... People are seeing the content because they liked the brand, and it makes sense that content about the brand will get them engaged," he says. Advertising Age (tiered subscription model) (5/7)  | Shop.org Spotlight | | | | - Shop.org regional dinners coming to a city near you
Three networking dinners are sweeping the nation as part of May is Marketing month. These free retailer-only dinners serve as an opportunity for professionals to mingle and share best practices for retail marketing efforts. Denver is up first on May 16, Toronto on May 17, and New York City on May 22. Space is limited for this popular series, so save your seat today. Register or learn more. - Know an innovative retailer? Award nominations due May 25
Presented before thousands of industry insiders at Retail's BIG Show in New York City in January, NRF's Retail Innovator of the Year award honors a retail company that has set itself apart from the pack through the use of new, innovative or imaginative techniques and has shown an ability to sustain and build its concept, possibly against great odds. Nominate inspiring peers to be considered for this prestigious award by May 25. Learn more.
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Almost one quarter of Mother's Day shoppers plan to purchase products with their tablets, compared to 12% of smartphone owners. Source: 
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