Online marketplaces are redefining the concept of a restaurant by connecting diners with chefs who host diners at their homes. Foodnome allows consumers to reserve and pay for these experiences on its site. The company’s founder, Akshay Prabhu, explains how he seeks to help home chefs overcome hurdles in their operations as they tap into the sharing economy.  Read More...

Target reported holiday sales growth that beat its past-year results, as Kohl’s posted modest sales growth that was weaker than the prior year. What do executives and analysts say about the results, and how did digital efforts factor into holiday sales? Read this week’s Retail Pulse to find out. Read More...

Brevity, they say, is the soul of wit. And for payments and commerce, speed could be the soul of convenience. Because what customers want at the end of the day is to be able to do more, faster. The challenge is offering all the friction-free speed without running afoul of consumer safety, or regulations meant to protect that safety. Read More...