Want Alexa on Your Side? Just Ask

Amazon might be a formidable opponent to brick-and-mortar retailers, but it can also be an ally.

If you still have some qualms about the space that Amazon is taking up on the retail stage, this should put some of those fears to rest: A shopping center has befriended Alexa, the tech giant's cloud-based virtual assistant, and she's helping to[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

Face Value: Retail Tech in Action

Technology Lab, Technology News

Recording shoppers’ faces while they browse can tell retailers a lot about their clientele.

Chatbots and social media platforms have enhanced the immediacy of consumer feedback, giving retailers much data to sift through and interpret. Likewise, silent and unintentional communication offers valuable information on shoppers' true state [...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

Which Way Do Your Tenants Lean?

Technology Lab, Technology News

Progressive Shopper will gladly tell you—and your customers.

You can rejoice if your center's retailers are good corporate citizens who regularly give back to the community. Shoppers are quite sensitive to that. Some also care about another type of contribution, the political ones. Progressive Shopper is [...] Read More...

Light This Way

Technology Lab, Technology News

Shoppers are encouraged to become co-creators of this mall’s high-tech displays.

Interactivity is now a given when it comes to retail centers' digital entertainment. The next level: Inviting consumers to generate some of the content in real time, which is what an Asian mall is doing. The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands in Sin[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

To Dad with AR Love

Technology Lab, Technology News

The Bellevue Collection’s Father’s Day activity packs a high-tech punch.

We've got another Father's Day marketing concept for you: digital photo cards with an augmented reality (AR) twist. The Bellevue Collection (Bellevue, USA) teamed up with Pixelfire to offer the service that uses Kinect-based photography to super[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

AI Never Looked this Human

Technology Lab, Technology News

A retail and entertainment destination puts a face to its service chatbot.

Personalized attention is at the heart of AI-powered customer service programs, but few providers can claim to deliver a personable experience. A retail team, however, is making some inroads by putting a face and personality to its chatbot. M[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

New Digital Era at Pyramid Centers

Technology Lab, Technology News

The New York-based developer unveils 150 new rich-content digital directories.

Pyramid Management Group has just announced a major upgrade at 14 shopping centers in its North American portfolio. Located at properties in the states of New York, Massachusetts, and Virginia, 150 interactive digital directories are now there t[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

Destination Changi: A Layover Worth Your Time

Technology Lab, Technology News

Singapore airport entertains visitors as they wait for their flights.

If you're a traveler, waiting is part of your routine—at check-in, security screening, the gate, and baggage retrieval. It can get tedious after a while but the Changi Airport Group (CAG) has vowed to deliver a better customer experience throu[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

Shoppers, Meet Your Queen

Technology Lab, Technology News

Developer-backed idea challenge leads to new virtual assistant service.

Royalty has its privileges and that includes access to the best in just about everything—fashion, food, and front-row seats at sold-out performances. One little queen is happily sharing her insider tips with her Aussie peeps. She's virtual, mi[...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...

The Signs That Bind

Technology Lab, Technology News

A U.S. developer strives to deliver a more interactive experience, right down to its signage.

Keeping up with new advertising technology, let alone retail competitors, isn't getting any easier. An American developer is about to get a better (and firmer) handle on things by giving several of its flagship centers a joint digital boost. [...] Tactics Subscribers Read More...