Starbucks Sweetens Its Rewards With Visa | Five Ways To Get OmniReadi | Alibaba Leads Elder-Friendly Commerce

It's time to retire the notion that older generations can't use technology. They can and they do, and eCommerce sites and platforms would do well to remember it. This demographic has unique needs and buying power that other generations lack, and the elderly population is only growing, representing a major untapped opportunity for digital retailers. Alibaba just released a senior-friendly version of its Taobao shopping app. What makes it friendly, and what can other merchants learn from the Chinese eCommerce giant's strategy? Read More...

When it comes to information, eCommerce has an advantage. Customers who shop online can watch videos, read reviews and otherwise dynamically explore the products they plan to buy — and all before actually doing so. Those who shop in stores, on the other hand, are reduced to reading static descriptions in four-point font on the back of an item's packaging. No wonder physical retailers are struggling to keep pace. PERCH CEO Trevor Sumner shares how his company aims to bring that level of digital engagement to brick-and-mortar stores through digital displays and augmented reality (AR) — and what every retailer needs to know about these strategies. Read More...

As consumers want more choices in where to buy products, retailers are selling through all sorts of channels such as websites, apps and, of course, their own brick-and-mortar locations. Some retailers aremore effective at omnichannel marketing than others, but the most savvy retailers tend to offer consumers benefits like free shipping or price match guarantees that help make their sales channels easier to use. Here are five ways retailers can attract more customers — and become more omnireadi. Read More...