Why Sears' Pain Is JCPenney's Gain | Walgreens' Sixth Straight Sales Fail | Former Walmart CEO Encouraged By Store Closures

Brick and mortar retail isn’t dead or even dying; it’s just evolving. Mark Cummins, co-founder of Irish startup Pointy, says eCommerce will never replace the physical store entirely. Rather, digital channels will continue to increase their influence over how consumers shop in the real world — whether through ads viewed on social media or information gathered on search engines. So, how can traditional retailers use digital to their advantage, rather than letting it swallow up all their business? Here’s how Cummins says Pointy is doing its part. Read More...

Blockchain is the technology behind bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, but it’s not just for tracking digital assets anymore. Some retailers have found ways to use it for customer loyalty programs and supply chain management. Others are simply jumping on the bandwagon because the word “blockchain” sells. Could these early adopters be on to something, or are they just adding to the hype machine? Read More...

Move over Super Bowl, the Bitcoin Bowl — FanDuel’s nod to fantasy football during the NFL playoffs — is here. And to the winner go the crypto spoils. This weekend will mark the first time that sports fans and crypto-enthusiasts can compete on the digital field of battle — and win big with bitcoin. FanDuel vice president of communications Justine Sacco told Karen Webster it’s the right offer at the right point in the season, when fantasy football fan interest can use a shot of, well, crypto. Read More...