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WALMART IS LIVESTREAMING FOR THE HOLIDAYS
RetailX are big believers that the future of retail lies in those who can execute social media with authenticity – and live-streaming is at the heart of that execution.
Walmart is looking to spread a little live-streaming retail cheer this holiday season. They plan to run 30 individual live-streaming events, including a 30-minute variety show hosted by the recording artist Jason Derulo. The event, which will feature a variety of products and special guests and may be viewed from numerous platforms; Walmart.com/live, Twitter.com/Walmart, YouTube.com/Walmart, Facebook.com/Walmart Instagram.com/Walmart and Tiktok.com/@Walmart.
Walmart first tested live-streaming last December with TikTok an event drew seven times more views than expected for the first time around. The retailer also grew its number of TikTok followers by 25 percent.
He also said the retailer will livestream its events across a wide variety of additional platforms between now and Christmas including; BuyWith, BuzzFeed, Facebook, IGN, TalkShopLive, Tasty, and YouTube.
“Discovery and inspiration can happen anywhere, and we want to make sure we are meeting our customers where they are,” wrote a Walmart executive. “The success of these livestream events and growth of our business are telling us that we’re headed down the right path. We will continue to curate special experiences for our customers who live in dynamic, immersive environments and allow customers to shop seamlessly while also being entertained.
BLACK FRIDAY IS NOW A WEEK OR MONTH – NOT JUST A DAY
Checkout the celebration of Black Friday Week, Amazon Black Friday Live will open its doors at Victoria House, London from 25th – 28th November, inviting guests to enjoy four days of free events, exclusive celebrity-fronted experiences, livestreams and giveaways.
WING TESTS DRONE DELIVERIES FROM SHOPPING CENTRE ROOFTOPS IN QUEENSLAND - INCLUDE OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICINES AND BEAUTY PRODUCTS
Alphabet subsidiary Wing has launched a pilot program that will have its drones fly products from the rooftops of shopping centres. The program launched in its biggest market, Logan, Queensland, where Wing's drones have been flying orders to customers from businesses directly below their launching pad. It has already made more than 50,000 deliveries in the city this year alone and has celebrated its 100,000th delivery overall last August.
NEW RETAIL STORE CONCEPT – AMAZON AND STARBUCKS JOIN FORCES
Starbucks and Amazon have teamed up to open cashier less coffee shops in Manhattan.
The new store concept melds Starbucks Pickup and Amazon Go together, utilising the order ahead feature in the Starbucks app and Amazon Go’s Just Walk Out technology to create a digital checkout experience.
Now open, the first Starbucks Pickup with Amazon Go store, located in New York City at 59th Street between Park & Lexington Avenues, isn’t just a grab and go shop. The retail location also includes a modernised lounge that features individual workspaces and expanded tables with power outlets and USB ports.
COMPLETE NFT MUSEUM IS NOW LIVE
As part of our metaverse geekiness, we have spotted The Museum of Digital Life (MoDaL) a self-contained metaverse. The virtual museum, at the time of its launch, currently holds 12 art pieces within its digital confines. This includes 2D images and videos, and 3D interactive objects and experiences. MoDaL functions as a space that can be explored whenever you like. You can also interact with other guests inside. Along with this wide array of content available to explore in VR or AR mode--including an original short film made for the installation--visitors are encouraged to create their own artwork in one the gallery rooms where they're given access to various tools.
PARIS HILTON LAUNCHES VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCE ON ROBLOX – SERIOUSLY
The celebrity who never seems to stop, Paris Hilton has launched her own personal island, house and private jet in an immersive virtual reality experience. The new gaming experience entitled "Paris World" is available on the Roblox gaming platform. At launch, Paris World will include a DJ stage with her anthem playing, a zoo featuring exotic creatures that she's met over the years and of course, her life-sized replica of what could be described as 'the ultimate girl's bedroom'. Fans can explore all aspects of this stylized world which revolves around celebrity icon - including exploring some areas exclusive to VIP members. Jeez Louise
ICYMI - A quick recap of important things that happened which you might have missed
Alibaba sets new Singles Day record with $84.5 billion in sales
2021 marks the second year in a row that Singles Day was an 11-day event, with a record 290,000 brands participating of which 65% are small and medium-sized businesses, and new brands. With the Chinese government stating the event had to be more about quality than quantity and being actively mindful of environmental impact of consumption, Alibaba stated that use of renewable energy in the Zhangbei County data centre, which plays a major role in supporting its e-commerce businesses, reduced more than 26,000 tons of carbon emission.
AUCKLAND CARD SPENDING REBOUNDS
Card spending in Auckland has shown signs of recovery during a week of retail therapy after stores were allowed to reopen as part of the move to Alert Level 3.2.
AFTERPAY MOVES INTO HOSPITALITY IN AUSTRALIA
In a move that has shocked us, Afterpay will be available in 160 pubs across Australia by mid-November but consumer advocates have warned the latest use of the buy now, pay later scheme could lead to a "debt spiral" for people. Only available for the dining side of the business, we think this is a risky move that will put BNPL operators under more of a spotlight.
THE WAREHOUSE GROUP’S INVESTMENT INTO ZOOM HEALTH
Perhaps like us you received an email from The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationery or even Noel Leeming (we got all three) talking to the new investment.
Partial email extract below….
“The Warehouse Group's (TWG) investment in ZOOM Health Limited, a health technology company and shareholder in an online pharmacy delivering prescription medicine to patients. This new partnership is key to TWG’s vision of offering convenient and affordable access to healthcare to all Kiwis, and helping New Zealanders live better every day. As a valued Noel Leeming customer, we wanted to take the time to give you some background on what this news means for you, and how you and your whānau can benefit from ZOOM Health and ZOOM Pharmacy services. “
The email goes on to explain the Pharmacy and benefits. It felt weird in many respects but hey, if I’d made the acquisition I would also have leveraged my database. The tone of the video and email feel all wrong and should have been positioned better to instill trust and care.
SITUL!VE EXPERIENCE FOR RENT
Showrooms have been around for a while, but the new SituL!ve is next level. The new concept opened in early October in Westfield London, White City and has over 3,500 sq. ft of space featuring brands from Masterati to Bosch.
All products in the showroom can be test driven or demonstrated and bears a QR code for shoppers to scan and save their favourites to buy later or explore further.