Retailers and brands including Macy's and Adidas are adopting virtual try-on technology tools like those that have already become popular among beauty brands. ASOS and Modcloth are also among the retailers using augmented reality and virtual reality tools to allow online shoppers to "try on" fashions and accessories before they buy.
Hy-Vee recently earned two separate awards that recognize the grocer's innovative use of technology, which include its Hy-Vee Aisles Online, its on-demand Helpful Smiles TV entertainment network and its recent addition of SNAP/EBT benefits for online orders. Hy-Vee earned the Workiva Large Technology Company of the Year award as part of the Prometheus Awards, and also won the Software Development Company of the Year award.
Wakefern is partnering with data services company Inmar Intelligence as the grocer makes an effort to build customer engagement with its brands. The partnership allows Wakefern to create targeted campaigns and measure their impact on sales, aiming to "build a network for the future that will deliver an enhanced shopper experience that connects our brands to consumers in new and personalized ways," said Wakefern's Steve Henig.
Google has reactivated the human review program on its Home products, giving users the option to change their privacy settings and have their voice recordings saved and reviewed. The only benefit to opting in is that the user is then helping the company improve its voice recognition capabilities; staying out comes with no downside.
The pandemic has pushed gaming to a new level of popularity, with big sellers including Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout, an action game that gives up to 60 players the chance to simultaneously compete in an American Ninja-style course. Paper Mario: The Origami King, Ghost of Tsushima and Grounded are other titles that are quickly gaining fanfare.
Grady Rosier will retire and be succeeded as McLane Co. CEO and president by Tony Frankenberger on Aug. 28, after a quarter-century in both roles. Frankenberger will remain McLane Grocery president.
Avnet interim CEO Phil Gallagher says he intends to focus on "reinvigorating the foundation of the core business" while giving attention to the company's Premier Farnell division and handling higher demand for internet of things devices. Avnet reported fiscal fourth-quarter profit of $52.2 million on revenue of $4.2 billion.
Food distributors such as Maines Paper & Food Service have had to rethink their operations after business from restaurants declined because of the coronavirus pandemic. "Distributors with deeper pockets will survive longer, but they will likely need federal funding to survive should [shutdowns] last more than another three months," says Tim Powell of consulting firm Foodservice IP.
The pandemic has revealed the need for distributors to adopt tools that enable remote work and access, Mike Hockett writes. Communication services such as Slack and Zoom "have allowed distributors to quickly relay information, send documents and make presentations without cluttering up email inboxes or forcing staff into a never-ending cycle of scheduling phone calls with other staff," he writes.
Mexico-based retailer Grupo Famsa is seeking to restructure its debt via a bankruptcy filing in Mexico and Chapter 15 bankruptcy filing in the US. Grupo Famsa aims "to strengthen its financial situation, safeguarding its interests and those of creditors," according to a filing.