Technology

Foot Locker makes it easier for loyalty members to earn and redeem rewards

FLX Rewards’ streamlined benefits and enhanced search reflect broader loyalty program trends in the retail industry.

By Bryan Wassel • June 25, 2024

Starbucks, Marriott Bonvoy link loyalty programs

The deal is the latest in Starbucks’ large, corporate rewards partnerships, which have seen the coffee giant link up with Bank of America and Delta SkyMiles.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 21, 2024

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Qcmpt

The top stories from Qcmpt look at customer experience trends, generative AI use cases and the components of a good tech stack.

By Qcmpt staff

Apple to drop BNPL option in US

The tech giant said it will discontinue its buy now, pay later service and shift to offering consumers alternative payment options.

By Patrick Cooley , Lynne Marek • June 18, 2024

McDonald’s ends IBM drive-thru voice order test

The fast food chain still sees a future for automated order taking at the drive-thru and expects to make a decision about the tech by year’s end.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • June 17, 2024

Walmart to bring electronic shelf labels to thousands of stores

The retailer expects to deploy the technology to 2,300 locations by 2026 in a bid to improve efficiency and customer service.

By Sam Silverstein • June 11, 2024

Walmart tests in-app generative AI shopping assistant

The tool will let shoppers narrow their searches using natural language queries, helping them dig through complicated product categories for the right item.

By Bryan Wassel • June 10, 2024

How smaller grocers can go big on loyalty

Digital coupons alone aren’t enough for independent retailers to stand out, said Bill Gray, president of Givex Rewards. “They need to have that extra layer of panache, that extra layer of touch.”

By Sam Silverstein • June 10, 2024

How engaged employees can become evangelists for new tech rollouts

Frontline teams can serve as proponents of new technology, helping increase adoption across the enterprise, according to PNC’s Pete Wheelhouse.

By Bryan Wassel • June 6, 2024

Microsoft enters contact center market with generative AI assistant

The Dynamics 365 Contact Center Copilot is a step into an established vendor marketplace that includes AWS, NICE and Genesys.

By Kristen Doerer • June 5, 2024

Hotel Tech-in: The app helping guests beat jet lag

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has tapped Timeshifter, which uses science to help travelers navigate time differences, to improve the guest experience.

By Noelle Mateer • June 5, 2024

Best Buy balances tech and staff investments to boost customer experience

The retailer expects AI-powered review filters, personalized app home screens and dedicated staff in certain departments to improve shopping experiences.

By Bryan Wassel • June 3, 2024

Dollar General to eliminate ‘vast majority’ of self-checkout, reduce new store openings

Despite a 6% Q1 net sales rise and performance that beat analyst expectations, shrink remains a significant headwind, CEO says.

By Nate Delesline III • June 3, 2024

Salesforce earnings disappoint, but CX use cases are a bright spot

The CRM provider expects its sales slowdown to reverse as more companies dig into customer data to fuel generative AI investments.

By Kristen Doerer • May 31, 2024

Walmart launches immersive digital shopping experience

Walmart Realm is composed of influencer-led virtual shops that are meant to shorten the distance between inspiration and commerce.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • May 30, 2024

CosMc’s launches loyalty app

The McDonald’s spinoff launched an app despite having only four locations, in a possible show of the burger giant's confidence in its new brand.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 29, 2024

Fraud prevention efforts boost customer satisfaction, study finds

Breaches erode trust, but improved cybersecurity measures can improve customer experience while protecting data, according to a survey by PYMNTS Intelligence and Nuvei.

By Bryan Wassel • May 28, 2024

Lowe’s customer satisfaction rises as it rolls out new in-store tech tools

The company’s long-term store transformation plan includes updates to self-checkout and a tool that lets associates add online orders to in-store transactions.

By Bryan Wassel • May 21, 2024

5 ways retailers can improve the self-checkout experience

Experts from Mashgin, Invenco and other firms recently discussed common issues they see with kiosks and how retailers can address them.

By Brett Dworski • May 21, 2024

Home Depot pursues contractors with CX upgrades

While the company aimed the bulk of its CX upgrades at professionals, DIY customers will also benefit from an improved search engine and other enhanced features, executives said on an earnings call.

By Bryan Wassel • May 20, 2024

Are organizations providing accessible digital experiences?

Research shows businesses are missing an opportunity to embed accessibility in the design process, which can result in better products and reduce costs.

By Kristen Doerer • May 16, 2024

Uber adds student discount, restaurant lists in latest product rollout

The Uber Eats changes could help it onboard customers at a younger age, building loyalty that lasts beyond college.

By Julie Littman • May 16, 2024

Shopsense launches retail media platform for second-screen shopping

The technology allows TV watchers to purchase items inspired by on-screen programming in real time.

By Xanayra Marin-Lopez • May 15, 2024

Why digital product passports are tailor-made for CX

While DPPs are part of the European Union’s larger plan to increase sustainable manufacturing practices, they also offer retailers a massive opportunity to engage with customers.

By Lars Rensing • May 14, 2024

Instacart sees smart carts as key growth driver

The company expects to deploy thousands of its screen-equipped carts in grocery stores by the end of 2024, CEO Fidji Simo said.

By Sam Silverstein • May 14, 2024

Shake Shack’s kiosks are now its largest ordering channel

The chain added upselling options to its kiosks and made the channel’s customization experience more similar to online ordering.

By Julie Littman • May 7, 2024