It has been an exciting week for new partnerships and tech implementations. Check out some of the top retail stories gracing the homepage of your favorite publications!
Nordstrom rolls out new texting service: Whoever said apps were the new text messages were seriously disturbed! Pardon the Legally Blonde reference, but it’s only fitting! After all, Elle Woods was all about style and now, Nordstrom is allowing customers to connect with stylists seamlessly through text messaging. Called TextStyle, the new private program is designed to help personal shoppers immediately connect with their clients. The service was developed through the Next platform, so all consumers need to opt into the service by develop a Next texting account. Once they are opted in, consumers receive item images from their stylists. If they see something they like, they simply enter a unique code and “buy.”
Starbucks embraces crowdsourcing through Spotify partnership: Over the years, Starbucks has invested in a series of new tools and technologies to drive customer engagement and turn their locations into tight-knit communities. By partnering with Spotify, the coffee giant is bringing this community element to the next level, allowing consumers to develop customized playlists for nearby locations. This seems like a more current and tech-savvy alternative to Starbucks’ CD selling model, which was recently scrapped from stores. Now, Spotify’s streaming service will integrate with the Starbucks loyalty program, so consumers will be able to listen to and tailor curated in-store playlists. The crowdsourced entertainment option will roll out in U.S. stores this summer, followed by Canadian and UK locations.
Kim Kardashian West to present CFDA media award to Instagram founder: Well, this is quite fitting. The Selfish “author” is set to present Instagram Founder Kevin Systrom with an award at the 2015 Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards. The connection is undeniable with Kardashian West garnering more than 33 million followers on the social network, and the Kardashians, as a whole, acquiring a large share of the Instagram-osphere. (That’s my word to combine “Instagram” and “stratosphere,” for your information.)
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Eddie Borgo partners with Target on customized accessories collection: Following the success of its Lilly Pulitzer collaboration, Target has just announced its latest partnership with New York City-based designer Eddie Borgo. While he has undoubtedly captured the attention of fashionistas and editors, this collection will help bring Borgo’s designer chops to the mainstream. The collection will consist of jewelry, accessories and wall art. If consumers pick out a piece of jewelry or handbag, they can then add a bit of personal flair by piling on charms and studs.
Target set to roll out RFID: Speaking of Target, the retailer plans to roll out RFID-enabled smart labels to improve inventory accuracy and in-store stock levels. Not only will this move help provide online shoppers with greater accuracy into which products are available in nearby stores, it also will improve the efficiency of the retailer’s in-store pickup strategies. In a corporate blog post, Keri Jones, Target’s VP of Global Supply Chain and Operations, noted that the company was working with vendors on a “fast paced timeline.“
If you want to check out more on the latest retail news and trends, check out the Retail TouchPoints web site! Have a great Memorial Day weekend, everyone!
